Breast Cancer

Lumpectomy

Description

Tumor + margin removed; breast is conserved, the initial most treatmentoptions which is always opted for.

Used For

Early-stage (I-II), small tumors

Recovery

1-2 weeks; +radiation

Mastectomy

Description

Full breast removal

Used For

Large/multifocal tumors

Recovery

4-6 weeks; reconstruction options

Lymph Node Removal

Description

Sentinel biopsy or axillary dissection

Used For

Check spread to lymph nodes

Recovery

1-2 weeks

External Beam Radiation

Method

Daily sessions (5 days/week, 3-6 weeks)

Duration

15-30 treatments

Side Effects

Fatigue, skin redness, breast swelling

Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy)

Method

Radioactive seeds implanted near tumor

Duration

1-5 days

Side Effects

Short-term tenderness, skin changes

Chemotherapy

Targets

Fast-growing cells. it is also known as the most common therapy for breast cancer.

Treatment

Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant

Side Effects

Hair loss, nausea

Hormone Therapy

Target

ER/PR+ cancers

Treatment Includes

Tamoxifen, Letrozole

Side Effects

Hot flashes, fatigue, joint and muscle pain

Targeted Therapy

Target

HER2+ cancers

Treatment Includes

Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab

Side Effects

Nausea, headaches, breath shortness, bowel irregularities

Immunotherapy

Target

TNBC (PD-L1+)

Treatment Includes

Pembrolizumab, Atezolizumab

Side Effects

Fever, weakness

Bone Metastasis

Purpose

Prevent fractures, bone loss

Procedures

Bisphosphonates and Denosumab

Palliative Care

Purpose

Manage symptoms

Procedures

Manage symptoms, side effects, stress through treatment and emotional, spiritual support

0

Survival

99%

Treatment Approach

Surgery ± radiation

Type

DCIS, LCIS

I-II

Survival

90%+

Treatment Approach

Surgery + chemo/radiation

Type

Early-Stage Cancer

III

Survival

60-80%

Treatment Approach

Aggressive combo therapy

Type

Locally Advanced Cancer

IV

Sruvival

~29%

Treatment Approach

Lifelong systemic therapy

Type

Metastatic Cancer

Lifestyle

For Whom?

All women

Actions

Healthy weight, exercise, limit alcohol

High-Risk Screening

For Whom?

BRCA+ or family history

Actions

Annual MRI + mammogram, genetic counseling

For Whom?

For Whom?

High-risk postmenopausal ER/PR+ cancers (post-treatment) HER2+ cancers (post treatment)

Actions

Aromatase inhibitors Hormone therapy (to reduce recurrence risk) Targeted therapy (to reduce recurrence risk)

Surgery

For Whom?

BRCA+ carriers

Actions

Prophylactic mastectomy

Chemotherapy

is the main systemic treatment

Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy),

usually followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

Immunotherapy options (such as pembrolizumab)

for advanced or high-risk disease.

Targeted therapy for BRCA mutation

positive patients (for example, olaparib). Antibody-drug conjugates, such as sacituzumab govitecan, for recurrent or metastatic TNBC.

Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy)

with or without radiation therapy.

Mastectomy

as an alternative to lumpectomy plus radiation.

Hormone therapy

for hormone receptor–positive DCIS to reduce recurrence risk.

Generally excellent prognosis

with appropriate local and systemic treatment.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy

to shrink the tumor before surgery.

Targeted therapy

for HER2-positive tumors along with chemotherapy.

Surgery

usually mastectomy with lymph node removal.

Radiation therapy

to the chest wall and regional nodes after surgery.

Hormone therapy

\ for hormone receptor–positive inflammatory breast cancer.

Surgery:

lumpectomy or mastectomy with lymph node evaluation (sentinel node ± axillary dissection).

Chemotherapy

based on stage, tumor grade, and molecular subtype.

Hormone therapy

for estrogen and/or progesterone receptor–positive tumors.

Targeted therapies

for HER2-positive cancers (for example, trastuzumab-based regimens).

Radiation therapy

to lower the risk of local recurrence.

Surgery

lumpectomy or mastectomy, depending on tumor size and extent.

Radiation therapy

y after breast-conserving surgery.

Chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy

when indicated by stage and tumor biology.

Treatment individualised

based on tumor characteristics and patient factors.

Surgery

lumpectomy or mastectomy with lymph node assessment.

Radiation therapy

especially after breast-conserving surgery.

Chemotherapy and hormone therapy

guided by tumor biology and stage.

Targeted therapies

where appropriate molecular markers are present.

Possible neoadjuvant systemic therapy

to downstage larger or more diffuse tumors.

• Also called carcinoma in situ, this stage is non-invasive.
• Abnormal cells are confined inside the milk ducts and have not spread to surrounding breast tissue.
• Includes ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
• Accounts for about 20% of new breast cancer diagnoses.
• Highly treatable but may progress to invasive cancer if untreated.

• Early invasive breast cancer with a small tumor, typically up to 2 cm.
• May or may not have spread to some nearby lymph nodes.
• Cancer is localized with a good prognosis.
• Treatment focuses on tumor removal and sometimes lymph nodes.

• Tumor is larger than Stage 1 or has spread to a few nearby lymph nodes (e.g., in the armpit).
• Cancer is mostly localized to the breast and regional lymph nodes.
• Requires more extensive treatment due to larger tumor size or nodal involvement.

• Tumor is larger than Stage 2 or cancer has spread to multiple lymph nodes or nearby tissues like skin or chest wall.
• Known as locally advanced breast cancer, may include inflammatory breast cancer.
• Indicates more aggressive disease.
• Treatment typically involves combined therapies: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

• Cancer has spread beyond breast and regional lymph nodes to distant organs such as bones, lungs, or liver.
• Advanced stage is generally not curable.
• Managed with systemic therapies to control symptoms and prolong survival.