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Treatment options for locally advanced breast cancer

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Everyone is different and the treatments recommended for locally advanced breast cancer, and the order in which they are used, may vary according to individual circumstances.

Treatment for locally advanced breast cancer will usually involve a combination of treatments:

  • chemotherapy
  • breast surgery
  • radiotherapy
  • targeted therapies
  • hormonal therapies.

In addition, some women choose to use complementary therapies or may be involved in a clinical trial.

Chemotherapy

Treatment for locally advanced breast cancer often starts with chemotherapy. The aim of giving chemotherapy first is to make the breast cancer smaller, and to destroy any cancer cells that may be elsewhere in the body, but cannot be detected using routine tests.

Breast surgery

Breast surgery may be recommended for some but not all women with locally advanced breast cancer. Most women who do have surgery will have the breast removed completely (mastectomy).

Breast reconstruction may be possible once all initial treatment has been completed but this should be discussed with the treating doctors.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy may be used before or after surgery for locally advanced breast cancer to destroy cancer cells in the breast, armpit, neck or surrounding areas.

Targeted therapies

Targeted therapies (also known as targeted therapies) are drugs that stop the growth of particular types of cancer cells. Targeted therapies are only suitable for some women. They may be used with other breast cancer treatments for locally advanced breast cancer.

Hormonal therapies

Hormonal therapies are drugs used to treat women who have hormone receptors on their breast cancer cells. Hormonal therapies may be used alone or with other breast cancer treatments for locally advanced breast cancer.

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updated: 12 October 2021 - 9:27pm
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Related information

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What is cancer?

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Treatment and side effects
Treatment and side effects

The treatment that your doctors recommend will depend on the type of cancer you have, how advanced it is, and other personal factors.

Living with cancer
Living with cancer

A diagnosis of cancer marks the beginning of a journey full of emotional, psychological, physical and practical challenges.

Life after cancer
Life after cancer

While looking forward to finishing their cancer treatment and getting on with life, for some people, the end of treatment can also be a confusing or worrying time.

A-Z List of Cancer Types

Information on more than 70 types of cancer

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