Treatment

Treatment for breast cancer is based on several different factors

  • Size of the tumor
  • Stage
  • ER/PR/HER2 status
  • Oncotype (risk of recurrence)
  • Preservation of breast

There are 5 major categories of treatment for breast cancer

  • Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
  • Early, localized, or operable breast cancer (dependent on location and size of the lesion, size of the breast, and patient’s desire to preserve the breast)
  • Locally advanced breast cancer or Inflammatory carcinoma
  • Cancer that has recurred in the same location as the initial diagnosis and not metastatic breast cancer (also called locoregional occurrence)
  • Metastatic breast cancer (at diagnosis, progression, or recurrence)

See the Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) or the NCCN Breast Cancer GuidelinesExternal Website Policy for more complete information on treatment for Breast cancers. Both these websites are updated regularly with current clinical practices.

Updated: January 10, 2025