Cancer Treatments

Well, first let me just say for the record I am not a doctor. I’m only telling you from personal experience. I do not have cancer, but my best friend just completed her treatment for breast cancer. First she had a lumpectomy-which was the removal of the actual tumor. Next they removed the lymph nodes closes to the tumor, to eliminate the chances of the cancer spreading there, as well as to test them to see if it had already spread. After that she went for 12 weeks of chemo, followed by 7 weeks of radiation. Each type/stage of cancer has different treatment. But in most cases they will do chemo followed up w/radiation to be sure they got it all. In very RARE cases where they are 100% sure all the cancer has been removed and no stray cells may have split off, they simply remove the tumor and that’s that.
Best of Luck and wishes.

Treatment varies from person to person, it depends on what stage of the disease, tumor histology, new diagnosis versus recurrence, tumor marker status, menopausal status, age and the persons overall health and lifestyle. Stage o or DCIS surgery and radiation and hormonal treatment. Stage I, II, IIIA , surgery and lymph node dissection if node positive and radiation and chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Stage IIIB Chemo to shrink the tumor before surgery, Surgery then radiation, post surgical chemo and hormonal treatment or chemo with radiation and hormonal treatment. Stage IV hormonal treatment and chemo or palliative care to reduce breast cancer symptoms. There are all types of side effects from treatment, meds are given for most of the side effects of these drugs. I just depends on the person. If you have cancer which is best the risk of treatment or the risk of doing nothing and dying a lot sooner? Sorry to be so blunt, but that’s the facts. I had stage IIIb and still living with the uncertain of when or how long I have. But I’m still here. I may die of something else before cancer gets me. Hope this helps some.