Did you know that there are many different types of breast cancer? In fact, there are ten main types of breast cancer, each with its own unique set of symptoms and treatment options. While Breast cancer treatment in Singapore is more traditional, others are groundbreaking and cutting-edge. It is important for patients to be aware of all their treatment options, in order to make the best possible decision about their care.
Traditional treatments
There are a number of traditional treatments for breast cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery. There are several different types of surgery that can be used to treat breast cancer, depending on the stage and location of the tumour. The most common type of surgery is a lumpectomy, which involves removing the tumour and a small margin of healthy tissue around it. A mastectomy is another type of surgery that can be used to treat breast cancer. This involves removing the entire breast, nipple and areola. In some cases, lymph nodes may also be removed during surgery.
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It is typically used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells in the breast. Radiation therapy can also be used to shrink tumours before surgery.
- Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is typically used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously or in pill form as a Breast cancer treatment in Singapore.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets specific genes, proteins or receptors that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. This type of therapy is often used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. There are a number of different types of targeted therapies that are currently being used to treat breast cancer, including:
- HER2-targeted therapy: This type of therapy is used to treat breast cancers that overproduce the HER2 protein. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is an example of a HER2-targeted therapy that is used to treat breast cancer.
- Hormonal therapy: This type of therapy is used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are examples of hormonal therapies that are used to treat breast cancer.
- Aromatase inhibitors: This type of therapy is used to treat postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors are a type of antiandrogen that block the formation of estrogen in the body. Anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane are examples of aromatase inhibitors that are used to treat breast cancer.
Proton therapy
Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy for Breast cancer treatment in Singapore that uses protons to kill cancer cells. This type of therapy is typically used to treat cancers that are located in sensitive areas, such as the brain or spine. Proton therapy can also be used to treat breast cancer. Proton therapy is often used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer therapy that uses the body’s immune system to combat cancer cells. There are a number of different types of immunotherapies that are currently being used to treat breast cancer, including:
- Monoclonal antibody therapy: This type of immunotherapy uses monoclonal antibodies to target and kill cancer cells. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is an example of a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat breast cancer.
- Checkpoint inhibitor therapy: This type of immunotherapy works by blocking the proteins that cancer cells use to avoid being detected by the immune system. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (OPDIVO) are examples of checkpoint inhibitor therapies that are used to treat breast cancer.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials are investigations into new medical treatments that are conducted with humans. These studies help doctors and researchers find new and better ways to treat cancer. Clinical trials are an important part of the process of developing new treatments for cancer.
If you have breast cancer, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Clinical trials for Breast cancer treatment in Singapore are available for all stages of breast cancer. You can talk to your doctor about whether or not a clinical trial is right for you.
Climax
Breast cancer is a very treatable disease. There are a number of different treatment options available to patients. The best treatment option for a patient will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of cancer, the type of cancer, the patient’s overall health and the side effects of the treatment. It is important to discuss all of your options for Breast cancer treatment in Singapore with your doctor in order to make the best possible decision for your individual case.
