Chemotherapy for breast cancer shows excellent results. It is most effective with a comprehensive approach, helping to reduce the size of the tumor to operable, and after its surgical removal, this method reduces the risk of recurrence.
Most often, chemotherapeutic drugs are administered intravenously in a day hospital setting. If a delayed vomiting reaction occurs, antiemetics are additionally prescribed. In complex cases where round-the-clock drug administration is necessary, it is carried out in a hospital setting.
Appropriateness of "chemo" for breast cancer
There is a classification of the method by colors: red, yellow, blue, and white "chemo" are distinguished. For breast cancer, red chemo is usually used, characterized by the strongest effect on cancer cells. The drugs used in this case damage the DNA of such cells and stop their division due to the presence of alkylating compounds in the composition. The nuance of red chemo is more pronounced side effects compared to other regimens.
Doctors often prescribe the administration of chemotherapeutic agents in combination with hormone therapy or immunotherapy. The choice of therapy components and the duration of their use depend on the type of tumor, cell sensitivity, and other factors.
Chemotherapy at the first stage of oncology
Fighting malignant diseases at the initial stage is most effective. Surgery is most often used. In this case, the tumor is no more than a few centimeters, and metastases are absent, so the operation shows a good result. After surgery, a combination of components aimed at preventing recurrence is prescribed.
The most commonly used medications are: docetaxel; doxorubicin; cyclophosphamide.
Sometimes paclitaxel injections may be added.
Treatment of cancer at the second and third stages
At these stages, the tumor affects the lymph nodes. Such spread of the tumor requires the use of chemotherapy not only after resection but also before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor.
Treatment of breast cancer with "chemo" is developed individually depending on the presence or absence of receptors for growth factors, as well as other indicators. In particular, the following components may be used: docetaxel; carboplatin; cisplatin, and others.
Treatment at the fourth stage
At this stage, the cancer process spreads throughout the body, there are distant metastases, and therefore the use of chemotherapy is not always indicated. Most often, cycles using TAS, FAC, or FEC therapies are prescribed.
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