Treatments
Treatment Options
You may have one of these treatments, or a combination. The type or combination of treatments you have will depend on how the cancer was diagnosed and the stage it is at. We will discuss with you which treatments are most suitable.
Surgery
The type of surgery recommended depends on the size and position of the tumour, and your personal preferences.
Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the cancer and a margin of surrounding tissue, preserving the rest of the breast.
Mastectomy involves removing the whole breast and may be recommended if the tumour is large or deep in the breast tissue.
Lymph node surgery helps determine whether the cancer has spread. A sentinel lymph node biopsy checks the first nodes the cancer would reach.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses carefully focused high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. It is commonly given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning.
Post-operative breast radiotherapy is given to most patients following breast-conserving surgery, typically once daily for three weeks.
Chest wall and lymph node radiotherapy may be recommended after mastectomy if the tumour was large or had spread to lymph nodes.
Boost dose radiotherapy delivers an extra dose to the area where the original tumour was, for patients at higher risk of recurrence.
Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a state-of-the-art technique that minimises radiation to the heart during left breast radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. It may be given before or after surgery, depending on your diagnosis.
Adjuvant chemotherapy is given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning, particularly for higher-grade cancers or those that have spread to lymph nodes.
Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink larger tumours, potentially allowing breast-conserving surgery.
Palliative chemotherapy is used for secondary breast cancer to control the disease and relieve symptoms.
Clinical trials may be available to offer access to newer treatments. Dr Burcombe actively participates in the Kent Oncology Centre trial programme.
Hormone Therapy
Many breast cancers are sensitive to hormones. Hormone therapy blocks or lowers the levels of oestrogen in the body to reduce the risk of cancer returning.
Hormone therapy is recommended for patients whose cancer has oestrogen receptors (ER-positive cancers).
Treatment is usually taken daily as a tablet for five years or longer, depending on individual circumstances.
Side effects are carefully monitored and managed throughout the course of treatment.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted treatments work by focusing on specific features of cancer cells. They are used alongside other treatments for certain types of breast cancer.
HER2-positive breast cancers can be treated with targeted antibody therapies that block the HER2 protein and help the immune system attack cancer cells.
Bone-directed drugs may be recommended to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures in patients with secondary breast cancer.
Treatment plans are personalised based on the specific characteristics of your cancer.
Biological Therapy
Biological therapies work with the body's own biological systems to help treat breast cancer. They are used alongside other treatments depending on the specific features of your cancer.
Biological and immune-based treatments may be used where the characteristics of your cancer make them suitable.
These treatments are often combined with surgery, radiotherapy or other systemic therapies as part of a personalised plan.
Dr Burcombe will discuss whether a biological treatment approach is appropriate for your individual diagnosis.
Have Questions About Your Treatment?
Every patient is different. Get in touch to discuss your options.