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Breast Cancer Treatment Modalities
1. Surgical treatment: This includes breast-conserving surgery and total mastectomy. The former removes the tumor while preserving the breast, whereas the latter is indicated for multifocal or larger tumors and serves as a cornerstone of curative treatment.
2. Radiotherapy: High-energy radiation is used to eradicate residual tumor cells in the postoperative region. It is standard after breast-conserving surgery and effectively reduces the risk of local recurrence.
3. Chemotherapy: Cytotoxic agents administered intravenously or orally eradicate rapidly proliferating cancer cells systemically. It is commonly used preoperatively for tumor downstaging or postoperatively to eliminate potential micrometastases.
4. Endocrine therapy: This approach is indicated for hormone receptor–positive patients. Long-term pharmacologic blockade of estrogen-driven signaling helps control disease progression.
5. Targeted therapy: Targeted agents act against specific molecular targets in cancer cells. They can effectively inhibit tumor growth with relatively less damage to normal cells.
6. Minimally invasive surgery: This includes endoscopic and robotic surgery performed through small incisions, offering advantages such as reduced trauma, less bleeding, faster recovery, and more concealed scars.
7. Vacuum-assisted excision: Under imaging guidance, the lesion is removed using a vacuum-assisted rotating cutter through a small incision. It is mainly used for minimally invasive excision of small tumors or for precise biopsy.
8. Microwave ablation: With real-time imaging guidance, an ablation probe is inserted into the tumor, and microwave-generated heat induces tumor cell necrosis while preserving breast contour.
9. Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency current generates heat to destroy tumor tissue. It is suitable for small, early-stage tumors and represents an effective minimally invasive local therapy.
10. Cryoablation: A probe creates an ultralow-temperature environment, inducing cancer cell death through freeze–thaw cycles. Tissue injury is controllable, and postoperative recovery is relatively rapid.
11. Radioactive seed implantation: Radioactive seeds are implanted into the tumor bed to deliver continuous low-dose-rate brachytherapy, thereby strengthening local control and reducing recurrence.
12. Endoscopic surgery: Instruments are introduced through concealed small incisions, such as in the axilla, enabling resection under a magnified view and potentially leaving no visible scars on the body surface.
13. Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy: Interventional techniques are used to directly infuse high-concentration chemotherapeutic agents into the tumor-feeding arteries, which can effectively shrink the tumor and create conditions for definitive treatment.
14. Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision: Under real-time ultrasound monitoring, the lesion is precisely removed with a rotating cutter. It serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes with minimal trauma.
15. Traditional Chinese medicine: As an adjunct, traditional Chinese medicine may help alleviate adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, modulate immune function, and support recovery during rehabilitation.
Conclusion:
Breast cancer poses a serious threat to women’s health. Jinshazhou Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine emphasizes that regular screening is essential for early diagnosis. Individualized treatment plans should be scientifically integrated according to stage and subtype, combining surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapies, and minimally invasive approaches to improve cure rates and quality of life.
Breast Cancer Treatment Modalities
1. Surgical treatment: This includes breast-conserving surgery and total mastectomy. The former removes the tumor while preserving the breast, whereas the latter is indicated for multifocal or larger tumors and serves as a cornerstone of curative treatment.
2. Radiotherapy: High-energy radiation is used to eradicate residual tumor cells in the postoperative region. It is standard after breast-conserving surgery and effectively reduces the risk of local recurrence.
3. Chemotherapy: Cytotoxic agents administered intravenously or orally eradicate rapidly proliferating cancer cells systemically. It is commonly used preoperatively for tumor downstaging or postoperatively to eliminate potential micrometastases.
4. Endocrine therapy: This approach is indicated for hormone receptor–positive patients. Long-term pharmacologic blockade of estrogen-driven signaling helps control disease progression.
5. Targeted therapy: Targeted agents act against specific molecular targets in cancer cells. They can effectively inhibit tumor growth with relatively less damage to normal cells.
6. Minimally invasive surgery: This includes endoscopic and robotic surgery performed through small incisions, offering advantages such as reduced trauma, less bleeding, faster recovery, and more concealed scars.
7. Vacuum-assisted excision: Under imaging guidance, the lesion is removed using a vacuum-assisted rotating cutter through a small incision. It is mainly used for minimally invasive excision of small tumors or for precise biopsy.
8. Microwave ablation: With real-time imaging guidance, an ablation probe is inserted into the tumor, and microwave-generated heat induces tumor cell necrosis while preserving breast contour.
9. Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency current generates heat to destroy tumor tissue. It is suitable for small, early-stage tumors and represents an effective minimally invasive local therapy.
10. Cryoablation: A probe creates an ultralow-temperature environment, inducing cancer cell death through freeze–thaw cycles. Tissue injury is controllable, and postoperative recovery is relatively rapid.
11. Radioactive seed implantation: Radioactive seeds are implanted into the tumor bed to deliver continuous low-dose-rate brachytherapy, thereby strengthening local control and reducing recurrence.
12. Endoscopic surgery: Instruments are introduced through concealed small incisions, such as in the axilla, enabling resection under a magnified view and potentially leaving no visible scars on the body surface.
13. Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy: Interventional techniques are used to directly infuse high-concentration chemotherapeutic agents into the tumor-feeding arteries, which can effectively shrink the tumor and create conditions for definitive treatment.
14. Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision: Under real-time ultrasound monitoring, the lesion is precisely removed with a rotating cutter. It serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes with minimal trauma.
15. Traditional Chinese medicine: As an adjunct, traditional Chinese medicine may help alleviate adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, modulate immune function, and support recovery during rehabilitation.
Conclusion:
Breast cancer poses a serious threat to women’s health. Jinshazhou Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine emphasizes that regular screening is essential for early diagnosis. Individualized treatment plans should be scientifically integrated according to stage and subtype, combining surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapies, and minimally invasive approaches to improve cure rates and quality of life.