How Is Breast Cancer Treated? Moffitt Offers Highly Individualized Treatment Plans
Medically reviewed by Brian Czerniecki, MD, PhD, Breast Oncology Department
The right breast cancer treatment plan depends on the unique characteristics of the cancer and the person receiving care. Breast cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of treatments. Moffitt Cancer Center offers highly individualized treatment plans based on factors such as the type and stage of breast cancer, the tumor’s molecular characteristics and each patient’s individual needs.
If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you probably have many questions:
- What type of breast cancer do I have?
- Will I need surgery?
- Will I need chemotherapy or radiation?
- Are there other treatment options?
The answers depend on the individual. That’s why developing a breast cancer treatment plan involves more than choosing from a list of treatment options. At Moffitt, breast cancer experts from multiple specialties work together to develop an individualized plan for each patient.
Why breast cancer treatment is different for everyone
There are many types of breast cancer, and even people with the same type may have different treatment needs.
When developing a treatment plan, doctors consider factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, the tumor’s characteristics, whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body and certain biological features of the cancer, including hormone receptor and HER2 status. A person’s overall health and treatment preferences may also be considered.
Depending on these factors, treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone or endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of treatments.
Because there are so many factors to consider, determining the right approach can require input from multiple cancer experts.
One breast cancer diagnosis. Multiple expert perspectives.
At Moffitt, the Don & Erika Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program brings together experts who focus on breast cancer, including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, plastic surgeons and supportive care experts.
This team works together to develop a treatment plan based on each patient's individual diagnosis and needs. Moffitt also holds weekly tumor board meetings for certain breast cancers, bringing together experts from different areas of cancer care to discuss treatment options.
This collaborative approach means patients can benefit from multiple perspectives when making important treatment decisions.
What does an individualized cancer treatment plan look like?
An individualized breast cancer treatment plan may include one treatment or a combination of treatments selected and timed based on the specific characteristics of your cancer and your individual needs.
For one person, surgery may be the first step. Another person may receive chemotherapy or another systemic treatment before surgery to shrink the tumor. Someone else may benefit from immunotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy or a combination of treatments.
For some patients, a clinical trial may also be an option. Moffitt offers clinical trials investigating promising new approaches to breast cancer treatment, giving eligible patients access to investigational treatments that may not yet be widely available.
The goal is to identify the treatment approach that is most appropriate for each individual patient while considering factors such as treatment effectiveness, potential side effects and quality of life.
Your treatment plan can evolve, too
Depending on the type of breast cancer and how it responds to treatment, doctors may adjust the treatment plan or recommend additional therapies.
Additional testing may provide information that helps doctors determine which treatments are most likely to be effective. A patient's response to treatment may also influence what comes next. That's why having a team of breast cancer experts working together can be valuable throughout the treatment journey.
Finding the right breast cancer treatment starts with understanding your cancer
Not all breast cancers are the same, which means treatment can look different from one person to the next. Your care team will look closely at the type and stage of your breast cancer, as well as specific features of the tumor that can help predict which treatments are most likely to work. Based on this information, your treatment plan may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of treatments.
Ask your care team about your specific type and stage of breast cancer, what your test results mean and why certain treatments may be recommended. You may also want to ask whether a second opinion or clinical trial could be appropriate for you.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer or would like to discuss your treatment options, Moffitt’s breast cancer experts can help you understand your options and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
To learn more about your breast cancer treatment options, request an appointment by calling 888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online. No referral is needed.