Function

Treatment for breast cancer typically focuses upon surgically removing the cancerous cells or tumor. After tissue removal, doctors use one or more forms of treatment to destroy cancer cells surgery leaves behind, to prevent the disease's return.

Surgery

During a lumpectomy, a surgeon removes only the tumor and affected lymph nodes or tissue outside of the breast. If the tumor is too large or can't be removed via lumpectomy, the surgeon may remove the breast in a procedure known as a mastectomy.

Follow-Up

After surgery, doctors may prescribe radiation therapy---concentrated energy to destroy cancer cells. Medical options include chemotherapy, oral or intravenous medications that kill the cancer cells, or hormone therapy, oral or injected medications that deprive cancer cells of the estrogen needed to grow.

Medications

Chemotherapy drugs used against Stage 3 breast cancer include doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil and paclitaxel, reports the University of Virginia Health System (UVHS). Hormone therapy medications include leuprolide injections and the oral medication tamoxifen.

Time Frame

In most cases, patients receive radiation therapy five days per week for five to seven weeks, reports breastcancer.org. Chemotherapy occurs for three to six months, based upon the treatments used, says the UVHS.

Source:

American Cancer Society: Treatment by Stage-Breast Cancer

University of Virginia Health System: Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

BreastCancer.org: Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer

More Information:

CDC: Breast Cancer Statistics