Different types of standard treatment are available for patients with breast cancer:
surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy.
New types of treatment are being investigated in
clinical trials.
In recent years, advances in surgery have been made that allow for localized treatment of the cancer and conservation of the breast. For example, a lumpectomy rather than full mastectomy.
Following conservative surgery, treatment with radiotherapy is required to remove any residual tumor cells and prevent local relapse. This treatment is normally applied daily for several sessions over two to seven weeks, irradiating the entire mammary gland.