Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease that results from the occurrence of malignant cells forming in the breast tissue, according to the National Cancer Institute. There are a variety of treatments for advanced breast cancer that vary depending on the case.

Surgery

Surgery is the most common first-line treatment of breast cancer. The surgery aims to remove the cancer cells from the breast by lumpectomy, which takes only the tumor and some surrounding tissue, or mastectomy, which is the removal of all breast tissue, according to BreastCancer.org.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of cancer-fighting drugs that weaken or destroy cancer cells. This treatment, often called "chemo," circulates through the entire bloodstream and may cause significant side effects in some people.

Radiation

Radiation, or radiotherapy, is often used following surgery to target and destroy cancer cells that might be left behind after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Radiation reduces the chance of recurring cancer by 70 percent, according to BreastCancer.org.

Hormone Therapy

In cancers that are hormone-receptor-positive, anti-estrogen therapy is used to reduce the amount of estrogen hormones in the body, which tend to make these types of cancer cells grow. The treatment is effective in killing or shrinking these damaging cells.

Complementary Treatment

In addition to the treatments listed above, some breast cancer patients choose to pursue complementary treatment that may include acupuncture or holistic medicine. While traditional methods do their work to stop the cancer, these treatments often result in significant symptom relief and an improved quality of life, according to BreastCancer.org.

Source

Breast Cancer

National Cancer Institute