Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and treatment options vary based on the type and stage of the disease. While surgery is often the first step, medication & breast cancer drugs plays a vital role in preventing recurrence and managing the condition. Different drugs work in unique ways to fight cancer cells. Understanding how these medications compare to other treatments, such as radiation and surgery, helps doctors from the best breast cancer hospital in India choose the best approach. This blog explores the most commonly used breast cancer drugs and how they compare to other treatment options.
Contents:
- Common breast cancer drugs
- How do breast cancer drugs compare to other treatments?
- Surgery vs. Drug therapy
- Radiation vs. Drug therapy
- Chemotherapy vs. Targeted therapy
- Conclusion
Common breast cancer drugs
Medication-based treatment options for breast cancer are primarily determined by the tumor’s stage and characteristics. Your doctor will run tests to determine the type of breast cancer and whether it has spread—or metastasized. The test results will help your doctor determine the best treatment option for you. Here are some medications commonly prescribed for breast cancer:
- Anastrozole (Arimidex): is an aromatase inhibitor. It lowers estrogen levels in the body and can treat estrogen-positive breast cancer. Anastrozole is a tablet that you take once a day.
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan): is a chemotherapy drug that is available in both tablet and injection form. You take the tablet once a day. Doctors administer the injection intravenously (through a vein).
- Methotrexate (Abitrexate, Folex, Mexate): is a type of chemotherapy that is available in both tablet and injection form. If you take the tablet, your doctor will give you specific directions on when to take it.
- Palbociclib (Ibrance): is a targeted treatment. It works by blocking a protein that causes cancer cells to multiply. It’s a capsule that you take with food once a day.
- Tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox): is an antiestrogen. It inhibits the action of estrogen, which can stop cancer from growing in response to estrogen. It is a tablet that you take once or twice daily.
- Abemaciclib (Verzenio): is a targeted treatment. It inhibits proteins involved in cancer cell growth. It’s a pill that you take by mouth.
- Everolimus (Afinitor): is a targeted treatment given by doctors. It interferes with signals that tell cancer cells to multiply and divide. This prevents cancer cells from multiplying. It also reduces blood flow to the cancer. It is available in the form of a tablet and a dissolvable tablet, which must be taken once daily.
- Exemestane (Aromasin): is an aromatase inhibitor tablet that you take once a day, after a meal.
- Fluorouracil (Adrucil): is chemotherapy administered intravenously.
- Tykerb (lapatinib): is a targeted therapy. It inhibits a protein that causes cancer cells to grow and divide. The dosage consists of several tablets taken together once per day.
- Letrozole (Femara): is another aromatase inhibitor that doctors recommend once a day.
How do breast cancer drugs compare to other treatments?
Surgery vs. Drug therapy
Surgery is the primary treatment for breast cancer, which physically removes tumors. However, it does not treat microscopic cancer cells that may remain in the body. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy all help to reduce the risk of recurrence by removing any remaining cancer cells. While surgery removes tumors immediately, drug treatments with supervision from doctors work overtime to prevent the disease from returning.
Radiation vs. Drug therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to eliminate cancer cells in a specific area. Radiation, unlike chemotherapy and hormone therapy, is only applied to specific areas of the body. It is commonly recommended by doctors after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. While effective, it does not prevent cancer from spreading elsewhere in the same way that drug therapies do. Combining radiation and medications improves overall treatment outcomes.
Chemotherapy vs. Targeted therapy
Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate are chemotherapy medications that attack all fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and some healthy ones. Targeted medicines, like Palbociclib and Everolimus recommended by doctors, target specific cancer cell pathways, resulting in fewer side effects. While chemotherapy is still necessary for severe cancers, specific medications provide a more specific treatment with fewer risks.
Breast cancer treatment involves a combination of surgery, medication, radiation, and targeted therapies to ensure the best outcomes. Each treatment has its benefits and potential side effects, making it crucial for doctors from the best breast cancer hospital in India to tailor plans based on the cancer type and stage. Advances in medical research continue to improve treatment options, offering more effective and less invasive solutions. With early detection and the right treatment approach, breast cancer patients have a better chance of recovery.