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Three Basic Options Of Breast Cancer Treatment

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 4:39:00 AM Posted by Cancer Centers

Breast cancer has been deemed as the most common type of cancer among women today. There are many documented cases of men experiencing this condition as well. Normally, this specific type of cancer is related to normal changes that occur within the breast of a female on a monthly basis. While these changes are normal, it is important to understand that the growth, or tumors, that can develop may prove to be cancerous. It is also important to remember that not all growths in the breast area are cancerous.

Cancerous growths that occur as a result of breast cancer can quickly spread to other locations throughout the body. This is why medical professionals stress the importance of conducting basic self-examinations of the breast on a monthly basis. If this disease is discovered in the early stages of development, there are a few basic treatment options available. If it is discovered in the later stages, there is still hope for successful treatment. Here, you will learn about these treatment options.

There are a few basic breast cancer treatment options. The first goal, naturally, is to eliminate all traces of breast cancer in the body. The second is to ensure that the effective steps have been taken to reduce the possibility of the cancer returning. The determination of the treatment normally depends on the extent of the cancer, as well as the areas of the body that are affected.

Surgery is a common treatment option when it comes to breast cancer. Medical professionals will examine the type of cancer that is being experienced, as well as the progression of the disease before suggesting surgery. If a person is suffering from a growth in the breast area that is cancerous, they may need to participate in a surgery that works to save the breast. This type of breast cancer surgery results in the lump, growth, or 'cancer' to be extracted from the breast while the breast is kept in place.

Many individuals who experience breast cancer may have a large amount of cancerous cells in the breast itself. Many professionals who deal with this type of breast cancer will suggest a 'mastectomy'. This is a surgery that requires the entire breast to be removed from the body. This is normally performed in the advanced stages of breast cancer.

Many medical professionals have found that by providing a person who is infected with breast cancer various types of hormones, the cancer is stopped. This is a very productive treatment when it comes to preventing this type of cancer. As a matter of fact, if an individual has breast cancer surgery, most doctors will implement the treatment of hormone therapy in order to ensure that the cancer does not return. If you suffer from this type of cancer, it is important to discuss this option with your physician.

Radiation is also a common treatment for breast cancer patients. This is an important procedure for sufferers because of the fact that this treatment can effectively eliminate the amount of cells that are cancerous in the body. Many times, this procedure is most commonly used after an individual has had breast cancer surgery. This treatment will work to destroy any lingering breast cancer cells after surgery has been concluded.

As you can see, there are a number of treatment options available for those who experience breast cancer. If you suffer from this devastating disease, it is important that you learn as much as you possibly can about the condition.

You should work closely with your doctor to ensure that you experiment with a treatment that will be most effective for your specific needs when it comes to breast cancer. Most treatment methods are effective, and many will recover from the disease successfully.

Breast Cancer Treatment - Exploring The Two Most Popular Alternatives
Every year, more than 1.2 million people are told they have breast cancer. Very rarely, even men will develop this disease. Breast cancer is second only to heart disease as the leading killer of adult aged women in America. Thanks to recent advancements in medical science, being diagnosed with breast cancer doesn't have to be the death sentence it once was. It is now possible to detect and get breast cancer treatment.

Breast Cancer Treatment Stages
Breast cancer treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is. TNM Staging is commonly used worldwide to judge what treatment is necessary. Judging the tumor, or tumors, the nodes and if it has transferred to a different part of the body, also known as metastases. Once these items have been evaluated, the doctor will decide on a course of treatment.
The two main types of cancer are high grade and low grade. High-grade cancer is when there is a large risk of the cancer coming back even after surgery. In this case, chemotherapy will be prescribed once the patient has healed from surgery. Some cancer specialists may opt out of surgery if the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body beyond the breast. The early stage is defined when the cancer has not spread to other places in the body outside of the breast. Depending on how far the cancer has gone, there are several types of surgical options open for breast cancer treatment.

Conservative Surgery
The most common type of surgery for breast cancer treatment is called conservative surgery. This is when the surgeon removes the diseased tissue from the breast, being careful not to take too much healthy tissue. While he is removing the cancer, a small amount of healthy tissue is removed as well. If the lab reports that it is 'clear' or 'healthy', the surgeon knows he got all the cancer.

Care and Treatment for Post Breast Cancer Surgery
Hormone therapy is one of the post-surgery options you have. When the tumor is determined to be sensitive to estrogen, this is the common treatment. The higher the tumors estrogen receptor level, the more benefits will come from hormone therapy. Another option for post surgery breast cancer treatment is chemotherapy. Depending on the size and how aggressive the cancer is, this may be used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the most commonly used breast cancer treatment. This treatment uses drugs to destroy any cancer cells it finds. These are called anti-cancer drugs. Some chemotherapy drugs are given on their own, some are offered in combination chemotherapy doses. There are over fifty drugs used when giving chemotherapy treatments. The type of treatment received depends, again, on how far the caner has spread and where in the body it was first found. When receiving chemotherapy, it is given in short doses, followed by periods of rest. Chemotherapy is very hard on your body and can make the patient very sick. Recovery periods are essential to the overall health of the patent. While the chemotherapy kills the cancer cells, it will leave the patient weak. Resting periods give non-cancerous cells the chance to recover. While chemotherapy and surgery are the main ways to treat breast cancer, there are various treatments available. Research is always your best tool so you know your options when it comes to treatments and surgery. Cancer treatments are getting more successful all the time. If one type of breast cancer treatment doesn't work for you, another may.


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