Breast Cancer Health Center
Breast Cancer - Medications
Treatment before surgery for breast cancer (neoadjuvant treatment)
In some cases, chemotherapy or hormone therapy is used before surgery to shrink the breast cancer. This is called neoadjuvant therapy. It may allow you to save your breast if the cancer is large. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of neoadjuvant therapy and whether it is an option for you.
Treatment after surgery for breast cancer (adjuvant treatment)
Depending on a variety of factors, such as tumor size, grade, and lymph node involvement, you may have several treatment options. Hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of the two therapies may be used after surgery to try to destroy any cancer cells that may be left in your body. This is called adjuvant therapy, and it is used to lower the chances that your breast cancer will come back. Your doctor may suggest gene tests to find out if chemotherapy will help you. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each type of treatment. Your personal preferences and considerations are important when choosing a treatment that is right for you.
Medicines to treat breast cancer
-
Hormone therapy.
Tamoxifen or an
aromatase inhibitor is recommended for
estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. These
medicines stop estrogen from fueling ER+ breast cancer.
- Tamoxifen is a medicine that blocks the effect of estrogen on breast cancer cells and normal breast cells. But this medicine may also increase other risks, such as for endometrial cancer, stroke, and blood clots in veins and in the lungs.
- Aromatase inhibitors, such as letrozole (Femara), anastrozole (Arimidex), and exemestane (Aromasin), are medicines that stop estrogen production in postmenopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat early estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. They are also used to treat metastatic or recurrent ER+ breast cancer. An aromatase inhibitor can be used alone or after tamoxifen treatment.
- Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is recommended after surgery and chemotherapy for HER-2/neu breast cancer. This medicine is a monoclonal antibody that targets the HER-2 protein. It helps chemotherapy work better.
-
Chemotherapy. A combination
of medicines is generally used to treat breast cancer. The number of
cycles of treatment will depend on the medicines that are used and how the
medicines are given. Some of the most commonly used combinations
are:
- Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Paclitaxel or docetaxel may sometimes be added.
- Paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.
Medicines to control nausea and vomiting
Treatment of breast cancer can cause nausea and vomiting. Your doctor will prescribe medicines for you to take with your treatments and when you get home to help relieve any nausea that you may have. Medicines to control and prevent nausea and vomiting include serotonin antagonists, corticosteroids, and phenothiazines, among others.
Medicines that may help to prevent breast cancer recurrence
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Breast Cancer Topics
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a new study reveals why a high number of women with the disease still prefer to have the entire breast surgically removed instead of just the tumor. It's not always because doctors recommend it.
