Breast cancer clinical treatment

Breast cancer radiation, chemotherapy, and holistic therapies

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies

Treatments given before surgery are called neoadjuvant therapies and after surgery called adjuvant therapy. This may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy given before surgery to shrink a large tumor, make surgery easier, and reduce the risk of recurrence or to destroy any remaining cancer cells following surgery. For recurrent or metastatic cancer, treatment options depend on how the cancer was first treated and the characteristics of the cancer such as receptor status.

Radiation therapy

Radiation can be part of the treatment plan both pre- and post-surgery. It can be used to shrink the tumor or minimize the recurrence rates following surgery. It can be used for partial or whole breast radiation, as well as treating regional lymph nodes under the arm. It’s generally a specific number of treatments over a set period of time. Advanced technology and techniques are revolutionizing the way breast cancer is treated, offering a higher level of precision and improved outcomes.

Infusion therapy

Infusion therapy for breast cancer is a method of delivering liquid medications directly into the bloodstream, allowing for effective treatment of various types of cancer through chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Medicine typically goes into your vein (intravenously, or IV).

Some chemotherapy drugs are quite toxic to the body, so they need to be given slowly to lessen side effects, but some can be taken orally. Other types of cancer therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapies, are made from monoclonal antibodies. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies almost always requires infusion therapy to administer. Our new Infusion Center is built to optimize your treatment time with your privacy and dignity taken into consideration.

Integrative medicine

East Jefferson is the first hospital in our region to offer a comprehensive menu of holistic treatment. Treatment goes beyond clinical tools. From special massage techniques that are safe for cancer patients to acupuncture to Reiki Therapy, the offerings of our Integrative Medicine Program have been shown to be effective in helping patients decrease stress and the side effects of cancer treatment. Through a grant, we offer free nutritional counseling with our dietician along with mental and spiritual support. This can play a tremendous role in helping patients throughout treatment.