Each year, 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer ⁽¹⁾. A common concern is how to treat it while preserving the whole breast. Fortunately, modern medicine with breast-conserving therapies offers hope. Breast treatment mainly involves a combination therapy of all the options below. This blog explores these therapies to help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.  

Breast-Conserving Surgery 

Breast-conserving surgery, also known as lumpectomy, is a procedure where only the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue are removed, preserving most of the breast.  

• What it is: This surgery removes the tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue while keeping the rest of the breast intact. 

• Why consider it: It allows you to keep most of your breasts, and it’s often followed by radiation therapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. 

Lumpectomy is generally recommended for patients with early-stage breast cancer, where the tumor is small and localized. The survival rate for a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy is the same as for a mastectomy ⁽²⁾.  

Radiation Therapy  

Radiation therapy helps target any remaining cancer cells in the breast tissue that might not be removed during surgery.  

• What it is: High-energy X-rays are used to target and kill cancer cells in the breast. 

• Why consider it: Often used after a lumpectomy to reduce the risk of cancer returning. It helps preserve the breast by avoiding more extensive surgery. 

Traditional external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is commonly used, where radiation is directed from outside the body to the affected area, but a more targeted approach exists with radiation directed from inside the body; it’s called brachytherapy. 

Brachytherapy 

Brachytherapy is an innovative form of radiation therapy that offers a more targeted approach compared to traditional EBRT. 

• What is it: Radioactive sources are carefully delivered to the tumor using an applicator or needle placed within it. The active source then travels through this applicator to target the cancerous area directly, ensuring a high dose of radiation is delivered while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. 

• Why consider it: Brachytherapy offers targeted radiation to the tumor site, reduces the risk to healthy tissue, has a shorter treatment duration, is minimally invasive, and is more convenient with fewer sessions. 

Many breast cancer patients have benefit from brachytherapy, you can read some of their stories here. 

Chemotherapy 

• What it is: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. 

• Why consider it: Sometimes given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) to shrink the tumor, making breast-conserving surgery more feasible. 

Hormone Therapy 

Hormone therapy, also known as endocrine therapy, is used to treat breast cancers that are hormone receptor positive.  

• What it is: Blocks hormones that fuel certain types of breast cancer. It either blocks the hormones from attaching to the cancer cells or lowers the body’s hormone levels. Common drugs include tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. 

• Why consider it: It’s effective for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, helping to slow or stop the growth of the cancer cells. It can be used before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. 

Immunotherapy 

• What it is: Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. It helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. It can involve drugs like checkpoint inhibitors, which remove the “brakes” on the immune system, allowing it to attack cancer cells. Pembrolizumab is an example used in some breast cancers. 

• Why consider it: Immunotherapy can be particularly effective for certain types of breast cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer. It offers a new treatment option for patients who may not respond well to traditional therapies ⁽³⁾. 

Targeted Therapy 

• What it is: Uses drugs that specifically target cancer cells without affecting normal cells. 

• Why consider it: Can be effective in shrinking tumors and is often used in combination with other treatments ⁽⁴⁾. 

Advanced treatment options for breast cancer that are currently being explored 

Advanced breast cancer treatments currently under exploration include gene therapy, which alters genetic material to target cancer cells while reducing side effects; breast cancer vaccines designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, showing promise in early trials; and adoptive cell therapy, which uses a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer, offering a personalized approach for those who may not respond to conventional treatments. While still under investigation, these therapies represent exciting progress and discussing them with your healthcare team can help determine if they are right for you. 

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be overwhelming, but there are numerous treatment options available that allow you to preserve your breast while effectively managing the disease. From lumpectomy to innovative therapies like brachytherapy, modern treatments offer the possibility of maintaining your body’s natural appearance without compromising on care. By exploring these options and working closely with your healthcare team, you can make informed decisions that prioritize both your health and quality of life, ensuring that your treatment plan aligns with your personal and medical goals. 

References 

1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer 

2. https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/treatment/type/surgery/mastectomy-vs-lumpectomy/ 

3. https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/cancer-care-treatment-non-chemo-what-to-expect-from-immunotherapy-or-targeted-medications 

4. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-treatment/