What treatment options are available for older women with breast cancer?

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Updated:10/04/2024

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1 Answers

StarDream

Updated:12/08/2024

Breast cancer treatment for older women requires individualized approaches considering health status and preferences.

Q: What are the common types of breast cancer treatments available?
A: Common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy.
Q: Are older women suitable candidates for chemotherapy?
A: Many older women can tolerate chemotherapy, but treatment plans must consider overall health, comorbidities, and functional status.
Q: What role does hormonal therapy play?
A: Hormonal therapy is often effective for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, particularly in older women.
Q: How is surgery determined?
A: Surgical options, such as lumpectomy or mastectomy, are based on tumor size, location, and patient health.
Q: What supportive care options are available?
A: Supportive care may include pain management, nutritional support, and counseling services.

Treatment	Description	Considerations
Surgery	Removal of the tumor or breast tissue.	Risks increase with age; assess overall health.
Radiation Therapy	Utilizes high-energy waves to target cancer cells.	May be used post-surgery; monitor for side effects.
Chemotherapy	Systemic treatment that targets rapidly dividing cells.	Dosage adjustments may be needed due to age-related factors.
Hormonal Therapy	Blocks hormones that fuel certain breast cancers.	Effective for HR-positive cancers; long-term effects should be discussed.
Targeted Therapy	Uses drugs to target specific characteristics of cancer cells.	Generally well tolerated; monitoring for side effects is essential.

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