![]() Because it is not unusual for metastatic breast cancer to stop responding to drugs over time, you may need to change treatments fairly often. How well treatment works depends on many factors as well, including the type of breast cancer, how widespread the cancer is, and what treatments have already been used. The presence and level of hormone receptors and/or HER2 in the tumor Treatment options for metastatic breast cancer vary based on: There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, but a good quality of life is possible for months or even years. Longest survival possible with the diseaseįewest possible side effects from the cancer and its treatmentīest and longest quality of life possible The main goals of metastatic breast cancer treatment are to make sure that you have the: The treatment plan can be updated over time as your treatments change. Before treatment begins, ask your doctor for a copy of your treatment plan. It is meant to give basic information about your medical history to any doctors who will care for you during your lifetime. This can change over time as your health care needs change.Ī treatment plan is a summary of your cancer and the planned cancer treatment. Ask the doctor in charge of your treatment which health care professionals will be part of your treatment team and what they do. In addition, cancer care teams include a variety of other health care professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, genetic counselors, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, financial advisors, and other supportive care members. Breast cancer multidisciplinary care teams typically include medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. In cancer care, different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different types of treatments. Learn more about getting a second opinion before starting treatment so you are comfortable with your chosen treatment plan. Doctors can have different opinions about the best standard treatment plan. If you are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, it is a good idea to talk with doctors who have experience in treating it. Please note that this link takes you to another, independent website. For example, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Project allows people with metastatic breast cancer to enroll themselves. Researchers are also using other methods to better understand metastatic breast cancer and identify new treatment approaches. Learn more about clinical trials in the About Clinical Trials and Latest Research sections of this guide. Your doctor can help you consider all your treatment options. ![]() Clinical trials are an option for all stages of cancer. Clinical trials can test a new drug and how often it should be given, a new combination of standard treatments, or new doses of standard drugs or other treatments. Doctors learn through clinical trials whether a new treatment is safe, effective, and possibly better than the standard treatment. A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new approach to treatment. When making treatment plan decisions, you are encouraged to discuss with your doctor whether clinical trials are an option. “Standard of care” means the best treatments known. This section explains the types of treatments, also known as therapies, that are the standard of care for metastatic breast cancer. ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about the different types of treatments doctors use for people with metastatic breast cancer. ![]()
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