Breast cancer treatment is highly individualized. Not every patient needs every treatment option. Your care plan is based on cancer type, stage, biology, and your personal preferences.
Treatment Options
- Surgery
- Lumpectomy: Removal of the tumor with a margin of surrounding tissue
- Mastectomy: Removal of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) breasts
- Radiation Therapy
Uses high-energy beams to destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery. - Chemotherapy
Uses medications to kill cancer cells and may be given before or after surgery. - Hormonal (Endocrine) Therapy
Used for hormone receptor-positive cancers to block estrogen or progesterone. - Targeted Therapy
Targets specific cancer cell features, such as HER2. - Immunotherapy
Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells in select cases. - Bone-Directed Therapy
Used when breast cancer has spread to the bones.
Follow-Up Care
After treatment, regular follow-up visits help monitor recovery, manage side effects, and watch for recurrence.
Emerging Treatments
GW Cancer Center researchers are actively involved in clinical trials evaluating new targeted therapies, hormone therapies, and immunotherapy approaches.
