Is “metastatic,” the taboo word in breast cancer and breast cancer treatment, the end of the world for breast cancer patients? Today it’s not. On the contrary, it is a promising time for metastatic breast cancer patients as research is moving their chances of survival by leaps & bounds. In this blog we will study the new & improved advancements in metastatic breast cancer treatment.
What do the numbers say?
6-10% of new breast cancer cases fall into the metastatic category. Such cases are named “de-novo” because they are diagnosed in an already advanced stage. 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage also eventually develop metastatic breast cancer. The 5-year survival rate of advanced, mostly stage IV, breast cancer is 22%. More than 15% of women live beyond 10 years after being diagnosed & treated for metastatic or advanced breast cancer.
Treatments for metastatic breast cancer
Breast cancer can be divided into three main clinical subtypes:
-Hormone Receptor (HR) positive
-Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) positive
-Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer occurs when cancer has spread to other organs.
As far as treatment options offered by some of the best cancer doctors like Dr. Manish Singhal, the best breast cancer doctor in Delhi NCR, is concerned, these are the mainstays.
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy for metastatic cancer is administered in different schedules depending upon the approved schedules in clinical trials, the patients’ overall health, potential side effects, preference, and previous treatment plans. Now, generally, it is administered one drug at a time. However, combinations are preferred by some of the best cancer doctors like Dr. Manish Singhal, a top oncologist in Delhi NCR, in some cases.
Advancement example
Phesgo, a combination of Perjeta & Herceptin, both chemotherapy drugs, has been recently approved by the FDA for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Not only that, but Phesgo can also be used in combination with docetaxel, another chemotherapy drug, to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer that has not been treated with anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy.
2. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or similar particles to kill cancer cells. It is a commonly used breast cancer treatment. If you’re looking for the best cancer doctor to shed some light on it, you can consult Dr. Manish Singhal, the best oncologist in Delhi NCR. But, before you do that, let’s learn about a few advancements in radiation therapy.
Advancement example
Radiation therapy was once given in small doses. However, now that oncologists know about the specific location of the cancer spread, they use therapeutic radiation where a larger dose of radiation is used at a specific site to get better results faster. Then there is Stereotactic Radiation Therapy, where a specially designed coordinate-system is used to find the exact location of the tumor in the breast or other organs in case of metastatic breast cancer.
3. Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a treatment option for breast cancer that is sensitive to hormones. According to some of the best cancer doctors, a common form of hormone therapy is blocking hormones from attaching to cancer cells or by decreasing the amount of hormone production. There are several new advancements in hormone therapy.
Advancement example
When an aromatase inhibitor is used with CDK4/6 Inhibitor, irrespective of the woman’s age, breast cancer can be treated. Another example can be seen when the CDK4/6 inhibitor Kisqali is used in combination with Faslodex to improve overall survival in advanced-stage hormone-receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer.
4. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a biological therapeutic approach to utilize the body’s natural defences against cancer cells. In breast cancer treatment, immunotherapy is used extensively by some of the best cancer doctors. If you asked a reputed cancer specialist in Delhi or worldwide, they would tell you how immunotherapy uses the chemicals in the body or made through research to improve, target, or restore immunity.
Advancement example
In 2019 FDA approved Tecentriq with protein-bound paclitaxel for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer that tests positive for PD-L1. FDA has also approved Trodelvy recently for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The treatment is only viable for adults with the disease who have received at least two previous treatments for metastatic disease.
5. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies can be used to treat specific types of breast cancer. You might always find some targeted therapy being used with systemic therapies like chemotherapy in breast cancer treatment. However, they can also be used alone in certain cases.
Advancement example
Tukysa has been recently approved by the FDA in combination with chemotherapy, for advanced-stage HER2-Positive breast cancer. Enhertu has also been approved by the FDA for unresectable or pre-treated metastatic HER2-Positive breast cancer. Unselectable here means cancer that cannot be approached or removed by surgery.
6. Surgery
Surgery is rarely used to treat metastatic breast cancer. Why? Simple because it’s mostly unnecessary and doesn’t help with cancer. However, some of the best cancer doctors suggest surgery to advanced breast cancer patients if the tumor is causing them discomfort. The verdict is still out on whether people whose tumors are removed live a longer life or not.
What’s the postscript?
There are several emerging methods to treat metastatic breast cancer, track the treatment of the same, and improve the diagnostic quality & time. All facets of advanced breast cancer are evolving globally to the delight of breast cancer patients. However, for the best breast cancer treatment in Delhi or worldwide, you need to consult an expert like Dr. Manish Singhal, the best breast cancer doctor in Delhi NCR.
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