Breast Cancer Treatments

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Breast Cancer Treatments - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Treatments for breast cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Usually more than one is used. Treatment for breast cancer in men is similar to and as effective as the treatment for breast cancer in women.

Surgery

The breast service at Peter Mac offers a complete range of surgical procedures for the management of all stages of benign, pre invasive, early stage and late stage breast cancer. The vast majority of patients with early stage breast cancer undergo breast conservation treatment which includes removal of the cancer from the breast as in sentinel node biopsy. In the few cases where breast conservation is not appropriate, mastectomy may be required and for many of our patient’s immediate breast reconstruction after consultation with our plastic surgical team is available. The ability to perform immediate breast reconstruction means that women only need to undergo one operation for removal of the breast cancer and to have a reconstruction. For many years the Peter Mac has had a special interest in the management of patients with advanced breast cancer which requires the integration of multidisciplinary care specifically chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the optimal management of the patients who are at significant risk for further problems. Surgical management of patients is undertaken in close collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team to provide optimal outcome. Other members of the multidisciplinary team who are vital in the surgical management of patients include the radiologists (x-ray specialists), pathologists, social welfares and breast care nurses. Weekly meetings are undertaken to discuss all patients with all members of the team to provide the highest standard of care in an integrated and supportive fashion. Considerable supports exist for patients and their families undergoing physical treatment.

Radiation Therapy

Peter Mac is home to Australia’s largest specialist radiation therapy centre, so you can be assured that the treatment you receive will be the very best, planned to suit your special needs. A multidisciplinary approach to your care ensures that your ongoing health and wellbeing are of the highest importance. Radiation therapy is the use of radiation to treat a range of diseases including cancer. Depending on your condition, radiation may be given alone, or it might be given in conjunction with other forms of treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery. Radiation therapy treatments are designed to destroy target cells, such as breast cancer cells while minimising radiation to healthy tissues so that they can recover from any radiation effects. Radiation therapy is a localised treatment, generally affecting only the part of your body that is receiving the treatment. Before any radiation treatment can commence, a number of planning appointments may be required. These planning appointments are required to accurately determine the most appropriate way of treating your condition. The exact number and type of planning appointments will depend on your condition.

Chemotherapy

The Breast Medical Oncology service at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is staffed by medical oncologists who specialize in the treatment of breast cancer and therefore you can be confident that you will have doctors with a high level of expertise responsible for your care. All new patients with early breast cancer have their individual treatment plan discussed through a team approach, so that the opinion you receive has been carefully considered by a group of doctors who specifically work in the breast cancer field. Breast Medical Oncologists are experts on the value of different types of drug treatments in breast cancer including hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and targeted biologic therapies. Medical Oncologists work together with your other breast cancer specialists to ensure a coordinated approach to your care and the best outcomes for each individual patient. The Breast Medical Oncology specialists at Peter MacCallum are involved in national and international research to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer. This may provide opportunities for our patients to receive access to new breast cancer treatments prior to these being routinely available.