Treatment with chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy for breast cancer

Thanks to medical research and technological advances, breast cancer treatments have come a long way in recent years. Three main treatments for breast cancer include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Each of these treatments is used in specific situations to help eradicate cancer cells and prevent cancer from returning.

Chemotherapy - a Powerful Weapon against Breast Cancer

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously or orally and travel throughout the body to target cancer cells wherever they may be. Chemotherapy is often combined with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy. While chemotherapy can be a powerful weapon against breast cancer, it can also cause side effects, such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Therefore, doctors closely monitor patients undergoing chemotherapy to manage side effects and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Targeted Therapy - More Precise Approach

Targeted therapy is another type of breast cancer treatment that is more precise than chemotherapy. Targeted therapy drugs are designed to target specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. As a result, these drugs are often more effective and have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy drugs. Targeted therapy is usually given intravenously or orally. For example, trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and lapatinib target the HER2 protein and can be highly effective in treating HER2-positive breast cancer. Other targeted therapy drugs used in breast cancer include palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, which target proteins involved in the cell cycle.

Immunotherapy - Power of the Immune System

Immunotherapy is a newer cancer treatment that boosts the body's immune system to attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy drugs can be given intravenously or orally and work by targeting specific proteins found on the surface of cancer cells. In breast cancer, immunotherapy is not yet as widely used as in other types of cancer, such as lung cancer and melanoma. However, ongoing clinical trials are exploring the use of immunotherapy drugs in breast cancer treatment. One promising area of research is the use of immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy or targeted therapy.

Managing Side Effects:

While chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy can be effective treatments for breast cancer, they can also cause side effects. Common side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy can also cause side effects, such as skin rash, diarrhea, and liver damage. However, these side effects can usually be managed with medication and close monitoring by a medical team.

Breast cancer treatment has come a long way in recent years, with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy among the most effective treatments for breast cancer. Each of these treatments is used in specific situations to help eradicate cancer cells and prevent cancer from returning. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you must work closely with your medical team to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. However, breast cancer can be overcome with proper treatment and care.