Breast cancer treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. The best approach depends on the tumor type, stage, size, presence of metastases, molecular profile, and the person’s overall health.
In addition, a breast specialist, oncologist, or surgical oncologist may recommend nutritional guidance, physical therapy sessions, or supportive therapy to help manage and reduce the side effects of breast cancer treatment.
Breast cancer can often be cured when it’s detected early and treatment begins right away. That’s why annual breast cancer screening is recommended starting at age 40.
15 treatments for breast cancer
The main types of breast cancer treatment include:
1. Segmental resection
Segmental resection, also known as breast-conserving surgery, is performed to remove the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue around it.
This type of surgery is typically used for small breast cancers in the early stages (stage 1 or 2), ductal carcinoma in situ, or early-stage invasive breast cancer.
After segmental resection, the doctor may recommend radiation therapy and/or hormone therapy, depending on the tumor type and molecular profile.
2. Mastectomy
Mastectomy is another type of breast cancer surgery in which part or all of the breast is removed.
This procedure is usually recommended for tumors larger than 5 cm, inflammatory breast cancer, or for people who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations that increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
During surgery, the doctor may perform a lymph node biopsy or remove lymph nodes if they test positive for cancer.
Depending on the cancer type, mastectomy may be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy as part of the overall breast cancer treatment plan.
3. Intraoperative radiotherapy
Intraoperative radiotherapy is a type of partial breast radiation performed during breast-conserving surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
In this procedure, the doctor first removes the tumor and then applies a single dose of radiation directly to the tumor bed using a metal cone that directs radiation only to the affected breast tissue.
This method, also known as Intrabeam, takes about 20 to 30 minutes and is generally recommended for small breast cancers (less than 2 cm), such as luminal-type tumors.
4. Conventional radiotherapy
Conventional radiotherapy uses an external machine to deliver radiation beams to the breast area and/or lymph nodes.
This form of breast cancer treatment helps destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells and is often used as adjuvant therapy after surgery.
Conventional radiotherapy is usually performed daily, Monday through Friday, with breaks on weekends, over a period of 2 to 4 weeks.
Possible side effects may include redness, darkening, or increased sensitivity of the skin, breast swelling, and fatigue. These effects may last for 2 to 3 weeks after treatment ends.
5. Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy in which radioactive seeds are placed inside or near the tumor site after segmental resection surgery.
This approach may be recommended for cases of ductal carcinoma in situ or early-stage invasive breast cancer.
6. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy for breast cancer uses drugs that act on specific stages of cell division to destroy tumor cells and stop them from multiplying.
This treatment can be done before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may also be used when breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer) to help control the disease and reduce symptoms.
It is usually given as a combination of drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, or fluorouracil, depending on the cancer stage and tumor characteristics.
7. Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy for breast cancer involves medications that help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
The specific monoclonal antibody used depends on the cancer’s molecular profile, which may be HER2-positive, estrogen and progesterone receptor–positive, triple-negative, or linked to BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations.
Medications such as trastuzumab, pertuzumab, lapatinib, palbociclib, everolimus, alpelisib, sacituzumab govitecan, or olaparib may be prescribed. These drugs can also be combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes.
8. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy for breast cancer may be recommended to strengthen the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, which can help shrink tumors or slow their growth.
The main immunotherapy medication used is pembrolizumab, which blocks the PD-1 protein on immune T-cells, allowing them to better target and destroy cancer cells.
9. Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy for breast cancer is used for tumors with surface receptors that bind to estrogen and/or progesterone.
When these hormones attach to the receptors, they stimulate cancer growth. Hormone therapy aims to block these receptors or reduce hormone production to prevent tumor progression.
Common medications include tamoxifen, toremifene, anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane, fulvestrant, or goserelin acetate.
10. Supportive therapy
Supportive therapy for breast cancer helps relieve treatment-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, pain, anemia, febrile neutropenia, or infections.
Doctors may prescribe medications like pain relievers, antiemetics, corticosteroids, or antibiotics.
Other drugs, such as filgrastim, may be used to increase neutrophil production (a type of immune cell), while erythropoietin can help treat anemia.
11. Physical therapy
Physical therapy may be recommended after breast cancer surgery, particularly if lymph nodes were removed from the armpit area, which can lead to arm and hand swelling (lymphedema).
A breast specialist or surgical oncologist may suggest beginning physical therapy soon after surgery to aid recovery, relieve pain, and improve arm mobility. Sessions should always be done under the supervision of a physical therapist.
12. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy plays an important role in breast cancer treatment, helping individuals develop positive coping strategies and manage anxiety and emotional distress.
It provides psychological support, helping people understand their treatment and its importance, which can improve adherence and overall well-being.
Different psychotherapy approaches may be used depending on the assessment and recommendations of a psychologist who specializes in oncology.
13. Nutritional counseling
Nutritional counseling can be part of a breast cancer treatment plan to help reduce side effects and ensure proper nutrition tailored to each person’s needs.
An oncology dietitian may recommend increasing the intake of natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
It is important to wash and disinfect foods properly and avoid raw foods, since a weakened immune system can raise the risk of infection.
For women with estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer, the dietitian may also advise avoiding foods that contain phytoestrogens, as they could interfere with hormone therapy.
14. Palliative care
Palliative care for breast cancer is typically recommended when a cure is no longer possible. The goal is to manage symptoms such as pain and improve quality of life.
15. Cryoablation for breast cancer
Cryoablation is an experimental breast cancer treatment that has shown promising results for small, early-stage tumors measuring up to 1 cm.
This procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist, who applies liquid nitrogen directly to the tumor, freezing and destroying the cancer cells.
Cryoablation is minimally invasive and does not require large incisions or hospitalization.
However, since it is still considered experimental, cryoablation does not replace standard treatments and may need to be combined with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.
Prognosis and recovery
The cure rate for breast cancer can exceed 95% when it is diagnosed in the early stages and treatment begins promptly.
For this reason, regular breast self-exams and annual mammograms starting at age 40 are essential to detect breast cancer early and improve the likelihood of successful treatment.