If the presence of cancer is confirmed, patients will be told about all appropriate options to enable them, in consultation with their physicians, to make informed treatment decisions. These may include lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Surgery plays a key role in the treatment of breast cancer either alone or with other therapies.
Surgeons work closely with other cancer specialists to provide the most advanced care available.
The range of surgical treatment options has expanded, in recent years, with a greater emphasis on breast preservation. The purpose of chemotherapy is to destroy any cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast area. Because of a better understanding of the biology of breast cancer, the majority of patients are likely to be offered some form of chemotherapy as part of their treatment regimen. Women who have positive estrogen receptors may be treated with antihormonal or hormonal therapy as part of their treatment plan. Each situation is evaluated individually by a physician specializing in cancer care.