When can chemotherapy for breast cancer be avoided?
The use of chemotherapy is based on large scientific studies that have investigated the chances of survival and cure through various therapeutic measures. According to these studies, chemotherapy has a positive effect on the chances of recovery in many cases. Only in patients who have a very early stage of breast cancer without any spread to organs or lymph nodes and who have had a successful operation can chemotherapy be omitted.
In addition, there are certain characteristics of the tumour. After removal, the tumour can be examined for certain cell structures, which among other things have an influence on the so-called “recurrence rate”, i.e. the probability of a relapse after removal of the tumour. These cell structures also influence the therapy and the exact type of chemotherapeutic agent used. The age of the patient also influences the decision on therapy. Young women can suffer long-term fertility complications as a result of chemotherapy.
How long does chemotherapy for breast cancer take?
In the treatment of breast cancer there are different forms of chemotherapy. All of them pursue different goals and are used at different times. The most common and typical chemotherapy begins immediately after surgery.
Its duration can vary, but it is usually administered within a maximum of 15 weeks. The duration varies with The post-operative chemotherapy includes about 4-6 cycles. One cycle includes a certain dose of medication, which is administered to the patient within one or a few days.
This is followed by a break in which the treatment takes effect and the body can recover from the side effects. This can last from days to weeks and serves to allow the body to recover from the strains of the therapy. Some cytostatic drugs (drugs that inhibit cell growth) only work on cancer cells that are at a certain stage of their development.
Cycle treatment is also an advantage here, as it increases the probability of “catching” the tumour in the right phase. As a rule, chemotherapy is administered via the veins (intravenously, i.v. ), for which the creation of a port can be useful.
Variants with chemotherapy in tablet form are also possible today. Depending on the success of the therapy, the patient’s state of health and the severity of the side effects, chemotherapy can also be administered on an outpatient basis. This means that patients are allowed to go home during the break between cycles. – the condition of the patients,
- The dose of chemotherapy,
- The number of different gifts (“cycles”)
- And the breaks in between.
What are the chances of success of chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy serves the purpose of eliminating the tumour cells remaining after the operation, thus increasing the chances of recovery. Statistically speaking, chemotherapy can increase the actual lifespan and probability of survival, which is why it is still recommended in treatment. Nevertheless, the individual decision for or against chemotherapy must be made on the basis of personal factors.
Different types of cancer in the breast can respond very differently to chemotherapy. Some cell variants are almost resistant to the usual drugs. For this purpose, the cells are analysed in detail before starting the therapy. The individual wish must also be taken into account in the decision. Even if chemotherapy increases the probability of recovery by a few percent, the side effects of chemotherapy are reason enough for some patients not to undergo the therapy.
