At stage 0, a blockage is found in the mammary or the ducts in the mammary. The first type, lobular carcinoma, is not yet deadly and usually the doctor will keep an eye on it by having the patient come in for frequent visits. Even with early cancer, the very fact that a tumor has formed in one breast makes the risk for cancer in the other much higher. Recently, many women have found it more acceptable to have a double mastectomy than to wait and find out if they will have cancer in the other breast and how far it will go. Ductal carcinoma is usually removed and the surgery is followed with other forms of treatment. Breast removal is an option with ductal carcinoma, too.
The Middle to Late Stages
Whether or not a woman has a mastectomy is determined by the size, location and stage of cancer she has at diagnosis. Women also have choices because they are often unwilling to lose a breast so they try everything else before they allow their breast to be removed.
Chemotherapy is often given before a woman has surgery to see if the tumor will shrink. If it does, there is a better chance that she will not have to have her entire breast taken off.
Regardless of whether or not a full mastectomy is performed, radiation and chemotherapies are usually indicated. Hormone therapies are an added measure. All of these make a woman's chance for survival much higher.
Once the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, there is no choice but to remove them from the axillary area. A mastectomy is also performed in this case.
Breast Cancer Stage 4
In the case of stage IV breast cancer, the disease is considered inoperable. Treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. These do not save her life but often help her to live for a while longer. Women may choose to have no therapy in this stage and opt instead for supportive care. This is meant to help control pain and support a better quality of life while she is dying.
If the cancer is treated and reoccurs or if some of the cancer is missed, a mastectomy and lymph tissue removal is followed by therapies if the cancer has not reached the last stage. Otherwise, supportive care is recommended.
While women are the majority when it comes to having breast cancer, a small percentage of men have been known to get it as well. The treatment is much the same for them.
