Types of Treatment for Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Contents:

Medical Video: Breast Cancer | Staging | Nucleus Health

Stage 4 cancer is cancer that has spread to other organs of the body. Most stage 4 cancers spread to the lymph, brain, lungs, liver and bones. This spread process is called metastasis. Breast cancer that is in stage 4 is often considered to be incurable, but alternative treatments can extend the life expectancy of the patient.

Treatment options

Each type of breast cancer has a different type of treatment. Not all cancer treatments are suitable for every patient. Here are the types of cancer treatment:

  • chemotherapy
  • Therapy uses radiation
  • Operation
  • Hormone therapy
  • Target therapy
  • Clinical testing
  • Regulate pain

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment uses one or more types of drugs that are useful for killing cancer cells and slowing down their growth. Giving this medicine can be in the form of drugs that can be taken or infused through the bloodstream. Thus, the target of treatment is not only in cancer but in cancer cells that have spread. Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs also affect other cells in the body so that side effects appear after the chemotherapy treatment is complete.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses X-rays which can destroy cancer cells or prevent their growth. This radiation beam will be focused on the part of the body affected by cancer or can also be inserted in the part of the body affected by cancer. Radiation is very useful in knowing the exact location of the spread of cancer.

Cancer surgery

The choice of stage 4 breast cancer surgery depends on the spread of the cancer. A tumor can be classified in good condition when the cancer can be removed through surgery. In some cases patients are sometimes required to remove the uterus. This can reduce estrogen levels in the body and can reduce the risk of metastasis to positive receptor cancers.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy can be used in certain cases when the cancer has positive receptor hormones. This shows that estrogen or progesterone produced in the body promotes the growth and spread of cancer. Tamoxifen is a drug that can block estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells and can stop the growth and development of cancer cells. Other drugs in hormone therapy are aromatase inhibitors (AI) which can stop estrogen production and reduce the amount of estrogen in the body. Some aromatase inhibitors are anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin).

Targeted therapy

This therapy is used to combat specific types of cancer cells, for example positive HER2 breast cancer which is included in an aggressive type of cancer because it makes cancer cells grow. Special drugs that are usually given to cancer patients are trastuzumab (Herceptin) which functions to target proteins so that they become slow and eliminate cancer growth. This therapy is often used in combination with other treatments, such as those used also in chemotherapy.

Clinical testing

Clinical trials in research studies are carried out by using new drugs or combining new drugs that have been approved for use. This experiment was carried out when the researchers believed that there was a drug that had the potential to improve treatment standards at this time.

Regulates pain caused by breast cancer

Regulating pain caused by breast cancer is an important management in cancer treatment. This treatment is able to prolong the life of the patient and can affect the higher quality of life. There are many choices in managing pain caused by breast cancer. This choice depends on the source and type of pain experienced by the patient. Consult your doctor first if any pain is experienced, so that the right steps can be taken.

Types of Treatment for Stage 4 Breast Cancer
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