Treatment Overview
Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is based on many things. These include the type and location of the cancer, your overall health, and what matters to you. The main treatments are medicines. These include chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Your doctor may suggest a clinical trial.
Other treatments may be used to help relieve symptoms. These include radiation therapy, surgery, or medicines.
Your doctor will talk with you about your options and then make a treatment plan.
Some people use complementary therapies along with medical treatment. Therapies like acupuncture or massage may help you cope with the symptoms and stress of cancer. Talk with your doctor about any of these options you would like to try.
Medicines
Medicines for metastatic breast cancer include:
- Endocrine therapy.
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These medicines block natural hormones that cause certain cancers to grow. This helps slow or stop cancer growth. Medicines that help block estrogen and progesterone include tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.
- Targeted therapy.
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These medicines target cancer cells and may cause less harm to normal cells. They help keep cancer from growing or spreading. Some of these medicines target a specific gene in the cancer cells. If testing shows that you have a gene that can be targeted, you may be given one or more of these medicines.
Targeted therapies include HER2-targeted therapies and PARP inhibitors. PARP inhibitors may be used for those who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene changes.
- Chemotherapy.
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These medicines kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and some normal cells.
For some types of cancer, chemotherapy may be combined with immunotherapy.
- Immunotherapy.
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This treatment helps your immune system fight cancer.
These medicines can be given in different ways. They are often put into a vein or taken as a pill.
Treatment for symptoms
You may have treatment to relieve cancer symptoms. This can help you feel better. It might include:
- Radiation therapy.
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This uses high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It may be used to treat cancer that has spread to the brain. Or it may be used to relieve symptoms such as bone pain.
- Surgery.
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You may have surgery to remove tumors that are causing symptoms.
- Medicines.
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For example, corticosteroids may be given for cancer that has spread to the brain or spinal cord. Bisphosphonates are used for cancer that has spread to the bones.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are an option for many people who have cancer. These research studies test promising new treatments or improvements to existing treatments. People in clinical trials may have access to the latest treatments before they're available to others.
Your doctor can tell you if there's a clinical trial that might be right for you.
Treatment for recurrent breast cancer
Treatment for recurrent breast cancer is based on the type and location of the cancer and other things, including the treatment you had before. Treatment options for local or regional recurrence may include:
- Surgery to remove the cancer.
- For example, if you already had breast-conserving surgery, you may have a mastectomy. The doctor may also remove lymph nodes under the arm.
- Radiation therapy.
- This uses high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It may be given after surgery.
- Chemotherapy.
- These medicines kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and some normal cells.
- Endocrine therapy.
- These medicines block hormones that cause certain cancers to grow. This helps slow or stop cancer growth.
Other treatment options may include targeted therapy or immunotherapy. A clinical trial may be a good choice.
Your doctor will talk with you about your options and then make a treatment plan.
Learn more
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy?
- Breast-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy) for Breast Cancer
- Clinical Trials
- Hormone Treatment for Breast Cancer
- Immunotherapy for Cancer
- Mastectomy (Removal of the Breast) for Breast Cancer
- Radiation Therapy for Cancer Pain
- Radiation Treatment for Cancer