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Chemotherapy for breast cancer
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Chemotherapy for breast cancer is divided into several types.
The principle of this method is the use of cytostatics, drugs that have an antitumor effect. They are usually administered intravenously, orally, or via a drip. Chemotherapy is considered a "systemic" form of treatment, because cytostatics, entering the bloodstream, inhibit the growth of cancer cells in all organs, and not just at the site of the lesion.
Indications for chemotherapy for breast cancer
The main indications for chemotherapy for breast cancer are the presence of malignant tumors in the breast area. But that is not all, because a similar treatment method is used in other cases.
Thus, indications for this type of treatment depend on many factors. The fact is that the key features of cancerous tumors are their size, stage and hormonal status of a person. In addition, the growth rate of cancer cells, as well as the degree of involvement of regional lymph nodes in the process, also have an effect. Also, one of the factors is the individual characteristics of the patient. These include age, general condition of the woman and localization of the tumor.
The stage of the tumor also influences the prescription of antitumor drugs. The condition of the ovaries, as well as the risk of complications and the positive effects of this procedure, also play a major role. Therefore, it is difficult to say for sure whether a woman will be prescribed chemotherapy for breast cancer. Much depends on what the attending physician says.
Breast cancer chemotherapy course
It is worth noting that the course of chemotherapy for breast cancer is an important component of the entire treatment process. Because getting rid of the tumor is not so easy. A full range of procedures is needed to promote complete recovery.
As a rule, it is not only about prescribing antitumor drugs. Radiation therapy and surgical intervention are prescribed. But all this is agreed upon with the attending physician.
As for the cytostatic therapy itself, it is carried out in cycles. What does this mean? As a rule, a cycle of antitumor therapy is the time during which a woman receives a chemotherapy drug. The number of cycles depends on the woman's condition. The required number of them constitutes a full course of treatment. In this case, much depends on the drug that is administered. Usually, one course can consist of either four or seven cycles. This issue is resolved with the attending physician. In general, chemotherapy for breast cancer is an effective way to get rid of a malignant tumor.
Chemotherapy after breast removal
The thing is that chemotherapy after breast removal also has some positive effect. Thanks to this method, it is possible to prevent the recurrence of the tumor. In addition, this method perfectly blocks the occurrence of new metastases. It also allows you to get rid of existing cancer cells. And most importantly, in this way you can avoid relapses in the future.
It is impossible to overestimate the effectiveness of antitumor drugs. Because this method is based on the destruction of malignant cells and further inhibition of their development. Antitumor therapy can be used as an independent method, as well as combined with others.
In this case, everything depends on the woman's condition and the stage of the disease. In general, cytostatic therapy allows to reduce malignant neoplasms. This leads to the tumor being excised with minimal tissue trauma. So it is effective both before and after surgery. Because chemotherapy for breast cancer fights cancer cells.
Red chemotherapy for breast cancer
The use of anthracyclines is red chemotherapy for breast cancer. What does this method mean? In fact, it is the use of red drugs. The fact is that this treatment is the most severe of all existing ones. In addition, it is a toxic method.
The reason for the negative impact on the body is an interesting combination of drugs. The fact is that red therapy is prescribed based on many criteria. Thus, this process is affected by the size of the tumor, the growth rate, and the spread of malignant cells. In addition, the patient's age plays a major role, as well as immunohistological studies, etc.
The method is really serious, but nevertheless, it is widely used. During the course of treatment, red therapy is prescribed for a comprehensive effect on the tumor. Today, there are many schemes, as a result of which improvement is observed in almost 50-70% of patients. And the number of fatal outcomes has decreased, from 25% to 3%. Therefore, red chemotherapy for breast cancer is widely used.
Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer
What is adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer? This method is used as an additional or preventive therapy. It is necessary in time for operable breast cancer. In some cases, it is prescribed before or after surgery.
In general, the undoubted advantage of this method is the determination of the tumor's sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. However, there are some disadvantages here. This method can significantly delay the surgical intervention. Because in some cases there are difficulties in determining the histological type of the tumor. There are also problems with determining the receptors for estrogens and progesterone.
There are quite a few advantages of adjuvant antitumor therapy. This method is the most common and really has a positive effect. In general, chemotherapy for breast cancer is a forced measure to prevent further relapses and get rid of cancer cells.
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Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Regimens
What do breast cancer chemotherapy regimens include? So, it is worth noting that the regimen must have special properties. Thus, it is necessary to destroy all types of cancer cells. Moreover, this is done on a specific area of the breast.
In addition, it is necessary to use drugs whose effect can be mutually enhanced without side effects. Cancer cells should not adapt to chemotherapy drugs. And finally, the treatment regimen should have a level of side effects that a person can tolerate.
The standard scheme of cytostatic therapy is simple. First, the woman meets with a consultant doctor, who explains all possible side effects, as well as the advantages of the method. After that, the day is set for the procedure. On the day of antitumor therapy, the nurse should measure blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse and body temperature. In addition, the patient's height and weight play a large role. Based on this data, the dose of the drug is selected.
After this, you can put a drip with the medicine. After the drug is administered, the intravenous catheter is removed from the vein and the person can go home. This type of chemotherapy for breast cancer is a standard scheme.
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Chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer
There are drugs for breast cancer chemotherapy that have a positive effect on the recovery process. Thus, the list of these drugs includes alkylating agents. In their mechanism of action, they are similar to radiation. They promote the destruction of proteins that control the development of tumor cell genes. The most prominent representative of this category of drugs is cyclophosphamide.
Other drugs are called antimetabolites. These drugs "deceive" the cancer cell, easily integrating into its genetic apparatus. After that, during cell division, it dies. One of the most popular drugs is 5-fluorouracil. In addition, the newest drug is used - gemser.
Antibiotics. It is worth noting right away that they are not at all like traditional means. These are special anti-cancer antibiotics. Their mechanism of action is to completely slow down gene division. The most common drug is adriamycin. It is often combined with cytoxan.
Taxanes. These agents actively affect microtubules. This class of drugs includes paclitaxel and docetaxel. The drugs promote the assembly of microtubules from tubulin dimers and stabilize them. At the same time, the process of their depolymerization is completely excluded.
All these drugs are effective. But chemotherapy for breast cancer still requires individual selection of medications. After all, much depends on the woman's condition, the tumor and other factors.
Contraindications to chemotherapy for breast cancer
There are also contraindications to chemotherapy for breast cancer. This is due to the fact that such a procedure is not able to help in all cases. There is always a risk of relapse. Therefore, in most cases, antitumor drugs are ineffective.
The thing is that this method is not used for women who suffer from hormone-dependent forms of cancer. Because it is ineffective. But still, a lot depends on the patient's age. So, young girls are often prescribed a course of antitumor therapy. Older women may not need it.
Girls suffering from hormone-dependent forms of cancer have reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone. In this case, other methods have to be used. Thus, the ovarian function is suppressed with medications. Surgical removal of the ovaries is prescribed, as well as taking drugs that block the effect of sex hormones. Therefore, chemotherapy for breast cancer is not used in such patients.
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Side Effects
Many women are afraid of the side effects of breast cancer chemotherapy. There is nothing terrible about it. Because, to a large extent, the effects are simply unpleasant. Thus, some women are afraid of nausea, vomiting, and the development of leukopenia.
In fact, much depends on the woman herself and how she will adjust herself. But, despite this, the appearance of some side effects still cannot be avoided. Thus, thrombocytopenia can develop. This is a decrease in the number of blood platelets. There is also a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and alopecia (hair loss).
But in any case, it is worth understanding that we are talking about the treatment process. Therefore, sometimes you just need to close your eyes to the side effects. All these unpleasant moments can be experienced. You should not be afraid of the procedure because of this. Because chemotherapy for breast cancer is a woman's chance to start a new and healthy life.
Complications of chemotherapy for breast cancer
In some cases, complications of breast cancer chemotherapy are possible, and this fact must be taken into account. So why do various unpleasant sensations arise?
The thing is that cytostatic therapy damages and destroys tumor cells. But the body consists of normal cells that can also grow and multiply. That is why various problems arise.
As a result, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, anemia, and hair loss may occur. But these are rather side effects. If we move on to complications, the body is completely weakened, the immune system no longer performs its usual functions of protecting against external factors of aggression. Therefore, it is easy to "catch" any infectious disease. In addition, serious damage to internal organs may occur. In this case, the problems may persist for several years. And in general, chemotherapy for breast cancer can provoke a relapse of the disease in the future.
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