Breast cancer ranks first in the prevalence of cancer among women. However, unlike many other types of cancer, breast cancer is well treatable. Under condition of early diagnosis, prognosis of survival is 94%.
Read in the article:
Methods of treatment of breast cancer
Modern treatment of breast cancer
BREAST CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS
- operation;
- chemotherapy;
- radiotherapy;
- immunotherapy.
Surgical operation for breast cancer
Lumpectomy is an organ-preserving surgical procedure that involves the removal of a tissue site with neoplasm. A small volume of surrounding healthy tissues is removed also. The breast itself is preserved. After the lumpectomy, radiotherapy is prescribed to destroy the remaining cancer cells.
Mastectomy is the complete removal of the mammary gland. They choose it in case when lumpectomy is no longer possible to save the breast. Often, along with the mammary gland, the nearest lymph nodes are also removed. Despite the fact that the operation is more radical, the risk of breast cancer recurrence after it is much lower than that of the organ-preserving.
Chemotherapy for breast cancer
Chemotherapy for breast cancer cure can be used as a main treatment or as an additional treatment. Modern chemotherapy is more sparing than it was before. Special means are used to reduce side effects. For example, a cooling helmet – to reduce hair loss after chemotherapy. As a main treatment, chemotherapy is used at the last stage of cancer – to improve the life quality of patient. Chemotherapy is also prescribed before breast cancer surgery – to reduce the size of the tumor.
Immunotherapy in breast cancer
This type of therapy is the use of monoclonal antibodies, in the form of injections. Monoclonal antibodies are programmed to identify cancer cells and stimulate the immune system to attack them. This is a very effective form of therapy for breast cancer, available not in all clinics.
Radiation therapy for breast cancer
Radiation for breast cancer is a traditional method that is used as a main therapy or together with other methods of treatment. The procedure is painless and is prescribed before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. Can also be used to control metastases. Radiotherapy is also used after the lumpectomy – to eliminate the cancer cells that could remain after the intervention. In the latter stages, radiotherapy is prescribed as a palliative treatment.
MODERN TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER
The latest in the development of modern medicine in the treatment of breast cancer are targeted therapy, Intrabeam irradiation, brachytherapy and hormone therapy for breast cancer.
Target therapy for breast cancer is the treatment through direct action. There are two main categories of targeted drugs: low molecular weight biologically active substances and monoclonal antibodies. One of such drugs is Keytruda (Pembolizumab). Keytruda is a monoclonal antibody that attacks the protein PD-1. This protein masks cancer cells in the body. And Keytruda gives the immune system the ability to recognize and destroy them.
Brachytherapy is a more direct method of irradiating cancer. With the help of a catheter, microcapsules with radioactive material are injected into the tumor or next to it. Capsules are of size of a grain and do not cause inconvenience to the patient. They can be removed through time or remain in the body.
Irradiation through the INTRABEAM system is a single entry radiation during the operation.
It allows you to direct the rays directly to the tumor without touching the healthy tissue. The procedure lasts no more than 20 minutes and is performed immediately after removal of the breast tumor. The use of Intrabeam allows the destruction of malignant cells left after surgical intervention. The approach minimizes the likelihood of breast cancer relapse.
Hormone therapy is a treatment aimed at stopping or reducing the production of the hormone estrogen. Hormone therapy is used as an additional method of treatment after surgery, usually in the early stages. Hormones can be prescribed to fight metastases also. Sometimes the treating doctor can recommend hormone therapy as a breast cancer prevention if there is a risk of it.
WHERE CAN I TREAT BREAST CANCER?
We have chosen for you the top specialized centers for the breast cancer treatment around the world.
Israel
The best clinic for the treatment of breast cancer in Israel is the private clinic Assuta. The success rate for the patients with the 1st stage is 97%. Doctors of Assuta are focused on organ-preserving operations. Radical interventions are carried out only in the most extreme cases, when it is already impossible to save the breast. After mastectomy, doctors suggest a one-stage or subsequent breast reconstruction with the help of implants. In addition, patients are provided with extremely comfortable conditions while they stay in clinic. For this reason, clinic prices are 5-10% higher than the average prices for Israel.
One of Israel’s leading surgeons, Moshe Papa is conducting the operations.
- The cost of diagnostic procedures in the private clinic Assuta – about 7000 $
- Irradiation with INTRABEAM – about $5000;
- Mastectomy in the Assuta Clinic – up to $18,000;
- Lumpectomy in Assuta – up to $14,500;
- Hormone therapy – $1300;
- Chemotherapy – $1300;
- Keytruda – $2000.
Germany
One of the best specialized centers of Germany for breast treatment is located at the base of Solingen hospital. The center is lead by Dr. Manuela Seifert, who specializes in breast reconstruction after mastectomy with the help of implants. Dr.Sebastian Hensch is performing the surgery to remove the breast tumor. The surgical interventions performed by Dr. Hensch are of a minimally invasive nature. This contributes to less traumatism and the soonest recovery of a woman.
- Diagnostics – €3000;
- Chemotherapy – up to €3500;
- Radiation therapy from – €2000;
- Lumpectomy – €11,000;
- Mastectomy – €11,000;
- Keytruda – €1950.
Turkey
Anadolu medical center uses innovative diagnostics of breast cancer – the method of Circulating Tumor Cells CTC. It allows you to detect breast cancer at the zero stage.
One of the best oncologists in Turkey, Professor Yesim Yildirim, leads foreign patients.
Anadolu Doctors pay much attention to the psycho emotional state of women, as patients worry about the diagnosis of breast cancer. That’s why psychologists work with women in Anadolu. This is especially important for those patients who underwent radical mastectomy.
- Diagnostics – $2500-3000;
- Keytruda – $2000;
- Mastectomy – up to $15,000;
- Lumpectomy – from $10000;
- Chemotherapy – from $1500;
- Hormone therapy – $1300.
South Korea
On the basis of the Samsung medical center operates a specialized Breast Center, in which about 1200 surgical procedures are carried out annually. Doctors of Samsung prefer minimally invasive methods. On the basis of the center there is a rehabilitation department for the rehabilitation of women after operations.
- Diagnostics – $3000;
- Hormonotherapy – $1300;
- Mastectomy –$12,000;
- Lumpectomy – $12,000;
- Chemotherapy – up to $1600;
- Radiation therapy – from $14,500.
