Treatments for Different Stages of Breast Cancer
A malignant tumor that develops in the cells of the breast is termed as breast cancer. There are different kinds of breast cancer, and the type of cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn cancerous. It can begin in different parts of the breast and spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels. Mostly it begins in the ducts or lobules. Breast cancer stages range from 0-4. The treatments for breast cancer differ for every patient and depend on the stage and extent of the disease. A patient’s age, general health conditions, and the spread of cancer plays an important role while choosing a treatment. 1. Stage 0 (DCIS) If the cancer cells are confined to the milk ducts, it is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). It can become invasive and spread beyond the ducts. Treatments for breast cancer in this stage include: Surgery One can get a lumpectomy where only cancer cells are removed, sparing the rest of the breast. If DCIS is found throughout the breast, a mastectomy is performed where the breast is removed. After a mastectomy, one can choose to have breast reconstruction surgery. Radiation therapy This therapy is recommended after lumpectomy for stage 0 breast cancers.