This component of treatment is called systemic therapy. Local and regional therapy involves surgery, radiation therapy, or both.
Systemic therapy includes chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or both.
Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and their indications are discussed at length in the section on systemic therapy . Invasive breast cancer is that which has extended beyond the confines of the breast ducts and lobules . It should be understood that several choices are involved in selecting the proper treatment, and treatment is individualized. There may be factors that differ from patient to patient, which may greatly influence the treatment chosen. Thus, two patients with the same stage of invasive breast cancer may choose different types of treatment.