What Are Alternative Breast Cancer Treatments

Posted by Southlakeoncology on October 4th, 2013

Excellent treatments are available for patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at some of the best cancer care in Texas. Some treatments are regular, and some are tested in clinical trials. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard one, the new treatment will then become the standard treatment. Patients may consider taking part in a clinical trial. However, some clinical trials may only be available on patients who have not started with their cancer treatment.

Surgery

Most patients with breast cancer have to undergo surgery to remove the cancer from the breast.

Samples of the lymph nodes are taken from under the arm and are examined under a microscope to see if they contain cancer cells. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will suggest how to proceed with treatment.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by surgery

The sentinel lymph node is the removal of the node during surgery. The sentinel lymph node is one of the first lymph nodes to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor. From this node, the cancer may spread and form into a tumor. A radioactive substance or a dye is injected near the tumor. The first lymph node to show the substance or dye is removed which is then tested under a microscope. If cancer cells are not found in this node, the doctors may want to remove a few more lymph nodes for testing. After the sentinel lymph node biopsy, the surgeon will remove the tumor and treat the patient accordingly.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy makes use of high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to fight cancer cells or to prevent them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy. External Radiation Therapy which sends rays to towards the body externally to cure cancer. Internal Radiation therapy makes use of radioactive substance sealed in needles, wires, seeds, or catheters that are aimed directly on or near the cancer. The type of radiation administered depends on the stage of the cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells; this is done by either killing the cells or by stopping them from developing. The treatment may either be systemic chemotherapy or regional chemotherapy. The therapy to be administered is dependent on the stage of the cancer.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy removes, or blocks cancer causing hormones preventing them from growing. Some hormones will help certain cancers to grow. If tests results show that the cells have places where hormones can grow (receptors), drugs, radiation, or surgery is used to reduce the growth of hormones or prevent them from multiplying.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that makes use of drugs or other particles to signify and attack specific cancer cells without hurting normal cells.

About the author:
Southlake Oncology is located in the heart of Southlake on Southlake Boulevard. Located adjacent to the beautiful Southlake Town Square our office is on the second floor of the Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist medical office building. Within the clinic our patients will find a peaceful, spa-like atmosphere, an experienced and trained medical staff, and our board certified medical oncology and hematology physicians Dr. James Mackey and Dr. Kiran Kancharla. Southlake Oncology also offers ample and convenient free parking to all of our patients and family members.