Treating Early-Stage Breast Cancer
The main treatments for early-stage breast cancer are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, says Dr. Nunnery. Often, a treatment plan includes a combination of therapies, such as surgery and radiotherapy, followed by chemotherapy. Drugs may be taken either before or after surgery. Generally, the more the cancer has spread, the more treatment will be required. “Each patient is different—and the treatment plan will vary from person to person,” says Ruth Oratz, M.D., medical oncologist at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City. Here’s what you can expect, based on the treatment approach.
