Breast cancers are treated through an interdisciplinary clinic in the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. This means that rather than visiting a multitude of doctors, the team of doctors responsible for your cancer treatment visit you in one room. This may include surgeons, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologists. The doctors will go over your cancer stage with you, and what the best treatment is for your cancer type.
Surgery may be performed to remove the tumor and any involved lymph nodes.
Chemotherapy is used to help reduce metastasis (spreading) of the tumor and is prescribed and monitored by a medical oncologist (not a radiation oncologist). Chemotherapy is commonly administered in the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. For some head and neck cancers, chemotherapy is given during the radiation treatment, resulting in a better effectiveness.
Radiation therapy may be in the form of external radiation (coming from a machine) or brachytherapy, depending on your cancer type and stage. Your radiation oncologist will go over your treatment options with you, and the one that will work best for you.
MammoSite may also be used to deliver a treatment dose of radiation therapy. This is a form of brachytherapy, a radiation therapy delivered internally to the tumor area. By localizing the radiation, the side effects should be minimized. MammoSite is not right for everyone; your doctor will discuss whether MammoSite is a good therapy option for you.
More information on breast cancer and its treatments through the Holden Cancer Center's Cancer Information Service.
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For further information or to schedule an appointment, please call 319-356-2253.
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