Breast Cancer Information and Malpractice Help

Free Call
Free Consultation

(888)922-2889

Treatment By Stage

Breast cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of the disease, and the patient's age, menopausal status, and overall health.

Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy and some standard breast cancer treatments may have more side effects than are desired. For these reasons, clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat cancer patients and are based on the most up-to-date information. Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for all stages of breast cancer. To learn more about clinical trials, call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237); TTY at 1-800-332-8615.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

If the patient has ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), treatment may be one of the following:

1. Breast-conserving surgery with radiation therapy, with or without hormone therapy.
    
2. Surgery to remove the whole breast (total mastectomy), with or without hormone therapy.
    
3. Clinical trials comparing breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy with or without radiation therapy.

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

If the patient has lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), treatment may be one of the following:

1. Biopsy to diagnose the LCIS followed by regular examinations and regular mammograms to find any changes as early as possible.
    
2. Hormone therapy to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
    
3. Clinical trials including a large clinical trial (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene--STAR trial)comparing 2 types of hormone therapy to lower the risk of developing breast cancer and to compare the side effects of treatment. The Cancer Information Service can be called for more information (1-800-4-CANCER).
    
4. Surgery to remove all of both breasts (total bilateral mastectomy). This treatment choice is sometimes used in women who have a high risk of getting breast cancer. Most surgeons believe that this is a more aggressive treatment than is needed.

Stage I, II, and IIIA Breast Cancer

Primary treatment may be one of the following:

If the cancer is confined to the breast and lymph nodes under the arm:

1. Breast-conserving surgery to remove only the cancer and some surrounding breast tissue (lumpectomy) followed by radiation therapy. Some of the lymph nodes under the arm are also removed.
    
2. Surgery to remove the whole breast and the lining over the chest muscles (modified radical mastectomy), as well as some of the lymph nodes under the arm with or without breast reconstruction surgery.
    
3. A clinical trial evaluating limited lymph node removal (sentinel lymph node biopsy).

   Adjuvant therapy (given in addition to the treatments listed above) may include:
    

4. Radiation therapy to the lymph nodes under the arm following a modified radical mastectomy.
    
5. Systemic chemotherapy with or without hormone therapy.
    

Stage IIIB, IV, Recurrent, and Metastatic Breast Cancer

Treatment for breast cancer that comes back (recurs) to the breast or chest wall may include:

1. Surgery (radical or modified radical mastectomy) and/or radiation therapy.
    
2. Systemic chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Treatment for Stage IIIB cancer or inflammatory breast cancer may include one or more of the following:

1. Systemic chemotherapy.
    
2. Systemic chemotherapy followed by surgery (breast-conserving surgery or total mastectomy) with lymph node removal followed by radiation therapy. Additional systemic therapy (chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy) may be given).
    
3. Clinical trials testing new chemotherapy drugs, new drug combinations, and new ways of giving treatment.

Treatment for Stage IV cancer or metastatic breast cancer may include one or more of the following:

1. Hormone therapy and/or chemotherapy with or without trastruzumab (Herceptin).
    
2. Radiation therapy and/or surgery to relieve the pain caused by the cancer.
    
3. Clinical trials testing new chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy. Clinical trials are also studying new combinations of trastruzumab (Herceptin) with chemotherapy drugs.
    
4. Clinical trials evaluating other approaches, including high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation.

To Learn More

For more information, call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237); TTY at 1-800-332-8615. The call is free and a trained information specialist is available to answer your questions.

The National Cancer Institute has booklets and other materials for patients, health professionals, and the public. These publications discuss types of cancer, methods of cancer treatment, coping with cancer, and clinical trials. Some publications provide information on tests for cancer, cancer causes and prevention, cancer statistics, and NCI research activities. NCI materials on these and other topics may be ordered online from the NCI Publications Locator Service at http://publications.nci.nih.gov or by telephone from the Cancer Information Service toll free at 1-800-4-CANCER.

There are many other places where people can get materials and information about cancer treatment and services. Local hospitals may have information on local and regional agencies that offer information about finances, getting to and from treatment, receiving care at home, and dealing with problems associated with cancer treatment. A list of organizations and websites that offer information and services for cancer patients and their families is available on CancerNet at http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/cancerlinks.html.

For more information from the National Cancer Institute, please write to this address:

National Cancer Institute
Office of Cancer Communications
31 Center Drive, MSC 2580
Bethesda, MD 20892-2580

Adapted from information provided by The National Cancer Institute.

POWLESS LAW OFFICES
Indianapolis Office
(888)922-2889
(317)805-4787
9465 Counselor's Row, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46240

Licensed by the Supreme Courts of Indiana and Texas.  National representation may accomplished in association with local counsel, with no additional legal fees charged to you and upon approval of court, if suit is filed.


Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

For Questions About General Medical Malpractice
For questions about nursing home neglect and abuse

Copyright  © 2004 Powless Law Offices
disclaimers