Navigating Chemo and Radiation

Dr. Danielle Bertoni, MD, MPH

Video Transcript

Depending on the type of cancer you have, you may need chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. Breast cancer treatment involves three main approaches: surgery, radiation, and medicines. The medicines are part of what we call systemic treatment, which means treatments that reach all cells in the body to prevent cancer from spreading or coming back in other areas. These are administered by a medical oncologist and may include chemotherapy or other targeted medications. Targeted treatments can come in the form of pills or intravenous medications. Surgery and radiation are considered local treatments. If a woman chooses breast conservation (lumpectomy), which removes the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it, she will generally need radiation afterward. However, there are exceptions, and not every woman who has a lumpectomy will need radiation. On the other hand, most women who choose mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) typically do not need radiation, unless the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, in which case radiation is usually recommended. Chemotherapy and surgery/radiation decisions are independent of each other. The surgery and radiation are aimed at local treatment—removing what’s present and ensuring it doesn’t come back locally in the breast or lymph nodes. In contrast, chemotherapy works as systemic treatment to prevent the cancer from recurring elsewhere in the body, regardless of the surgery chosen. Some patients may even need chemotherapy before surgery, which could be the best course of action for certain types of cancer. In those cases, the medical oncologist and surgeon work together to provide the best treatment plan. I look forward to meeting you. Please visit us at basscancercenter.com to learn more about me and how to schedule a visit.