While battling breast cancer, every patient’s case is different, and receiving treatment at a specialized breast cancer hospital can help give patients a chance at a successful recovery. The best breast cancer hospital in India offers patients accurate diagnosis and treatment for every stage while providing long-term follow-up as well.
So, through this blog, let us take you through how the best breast cancer hospital in India offers personalized treatments for each stage.
Stage I
Stage I breast cancer is the least invasive form of the disease. When diagnosed early, it gives patients a good chance of making a full recovery and significantly reduces the likelihood of cancer recurring.
Treatments Preferred For Stage I Breast Cancer
- Since the cancer is in its earliest form, the primary form of treatment used is surgery. Breast-conserving surgery is performed if required.
- Radiation therapy is also used to treat stage I breast cancer patients after breast-conserving surgery to reduce the chances of recurrence.
- Chemotherapy is very effective for stage I breast cancer patients, as the drugs travel through the blood and destroy cancer cells that may have travelled from the tumor.
- Hormone therapy and targeted therapy may also be used depending on the breast cancer subtype and other factors.
- Immunotherapy may be used in certain triple-negative breast cancers, including some early-stage cases.
Stage II
Stage II breast cancer means that cancer is more advanced than stage I. There may be a bigger tumor and/or cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Treatments Preferred For Stage II Breast Cancer
A complete recovery is possible in this stage with oncologists using a combination of local or systemic therapies for the best results.
- Surgery is one of the most important treatment methods for stage II breast cancer, where surgical oncologists remove the main tumor or entire breast tissue when required.
- Radiation therapy is used in combination for stage II breast cancer, as it helps reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Chemotherapy can be used before and after the surgical procedure to remove the remaining cancerous cells from the body, which in turn helps in reducing the risk of recurrence.
- Hormone therapy, targeted therapy, as well as immunotherapy can also be used to treat patients with certain subtypes of stage II breast cancer.
Stage III
Stage III breast cancer is locally advanced and needs a stronger treatment approach, often with multiple approaches used to treat the patient. Thus, it becomes crucial for oncologists to ensure that the cancer does not reach stage IV. The multidisciplinary team collaborates to formulate an appropriate treatment plan involving the use of either a single or a combination of therapies while keeping track of the patient’s response.
Treatments Preferred For Stage III Breast Cancer
The multidisciplinary team focuses on controlling breast cancer from progressing into stage IV with therapies like:
- Surgery is used along with chemotherapy. Surgical procedures remove the tumor after chemotherapy has shrunken its size.
- Radiation therapy is used for stage III breast cancer to clear the leftover cells that remain in the breast area after surgery.
- Hormone therapy is used only if the breast cancer is hormone receptor-positive to control the spread.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may also be beneficial to control certain subtypes of breast cancer.
Stage IV
Breast cancer is classified as stage IV when it progresses into the surrounding tissues or distant organs. At this stage, a complete recovery is not possible due to the extensive and aggressive proliferation of abnormal cells. A team of doctors deals with the cancer by controlling the symptoms, halting the development, relieving pain, as well as providing counseling.
Treatments Preferred For Stage IV Breast Cancer
Stage IV breast cancer cannot be cured completely, but doctors use the following treatments:
- Surgery and radiation therapy are used to control specific tumors, disease progression, as well as relieve symptoms.
- Hormone therapy is used to slow hormone-sensitive breast cancer growth.
- Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, along with targeted therapy, are used to slow and control the spread of cancer to other organs.
Conclusion
From stage I to stage IV, breast cancer complexity requires varied treatment approaches that need to be personalized for the individual patient. A specialized hospital can help patients by offering coordinated care based on evidence-based research.
So, when it comes to choosing the best breast cancer hospital in India, it is about finding a comprehensive care center that offers all services related to breast cancer. They need to offer accurate diagnosis, a multidisciplinary team, stage-specific treatment, as well as post treatment support. The right team at the best breast cancer hospital supports the patient not only during treatment but also before and beyond it, giving patients peace of mind.