In the past, to a certain disease treatment options were limited to a few. With advances in medical science, we have dozens of treatment options available for any disease.
Various treatment options available for
breast cancer have also increased in number. Today there are many ways to combat and to cope with breast cancer. They can be classified into the following categories :
1. Surgery : surgery has been the traditional mode of treatment for breast cancer. However, changes have occurred during recent times. Surgery is now more accurate and goes to the point of the disease so that damage to the affected area is reduced to a minimum.
a. Lumpectomía : cancerous tumor surgically removed without removal of the surrounding lymph nodes.
b. Mastectomy : this is carried out if the tumor has become in large or in case that the cancer has spread to other areas. Affected within are surgically removed.
c. lymph node dissection : this is the surgical removal of the lymph nodes. Usually performed in the case of invasive breast cancer, is a procedure performed at the time of the mastectomy or lumpectomía. During the mastectomy is an extension of the chest incision (to the armpit area). If you during the lumpectomía, an incision is made in the armpit. Part or all of the nodes lymphatics are eliminated. In general, is also cut nerve that carries the feeling to the area.
2. Radiation : Radiation is a highly specific and effective form of treatment, which destroys the cancer cells. High levels of radiation are sent directly to the cancer cells. Radiotherapy out of surgery can also kill the cancer cells that may not be treated by surgery. It may also be combined with chemotherapy, pain-relieving or to shrink the tumour. It's short and relatively easy, but secondary effects may also occur. Traditional external radiotherapy is in nature. Internal radiotherapy is also experienced. In this process, substances that produce radiation, are implemented directly in the tumor or injected via a tube.
3. Herceptin : Applicable only to women with cancer breast Herceptin-positive, which consists of an antibody, the primary function of which is blocking the Herceptin protein in cancer cells. This is useful in cases in which the breast to other parts of the body cancer has spread. Also known as immune therapy, which is approved by the u.s. FDA for women with metastatic disease.
4. Hormonal therapy : is another effective treatment. This is useful for women than receptive hormone positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors are most effective in women with menopause and tamoxifen in women with hormonal menopause pre breast cancer receptive positive post.
5. Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy, or use of chemicals to treat a disease, is a systematic therapy. Since the use of chemicals affects the entire body passing through the bloodstream, is very effective because it can act on cells multiplying rapidly. A disadvantage of this method of treatment is medicines act not only on cancer cells that Act on cells healthy and that lead to various side effects such as fall of hair, nausea, skin diseases and so on.
6. Alternative therapies : addition of the modes above there treatment, are many alternative therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, etc since research is not available sufficient in relation to this type of therapy, is difficult to reach any decisive conclusion.
Since the disease conditions differ from patient to patient, the ideal treatment to a person depends on several factors. The best way of treatment can be formulated with the due consultation between the patient and physician
