DR. TERRE QUINN
Breast Cancer
Surgery
Surgery is generally the first option for treatment. There are 3 general types of breast surgery.
Lumpectomy
This is when the tumor and surrounding tissue in the breast is removed.
Mastectomy
The breast, and all breast tissue is removed during a mastectomy.
Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
A mastectomy, or removal of all of the breast tissue, without removal of any of the skin or the nipple or the dark skin around it called the areola.
Lymph Node Removal
Often lymph nodes under a patient’s arm will be removed depending on the involvement of the cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy (Chemo) uses medications to weaken and destroy cancer cells in the body. Chemo is a systemic therapy and affects the whole body by moving through the bloodstream.
Radiation Treatments
A special high-energy beam is used to damage cancer cells.
Hyperthermia Therapy
An energy source, such as ultrasound or microwave to heat cancer cells is used. Cancer cells are heated up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormone receptor positive breast cancers are treated by lowering the amount of the hormone estrogen in the body, or by blocking the action of estrogen on breast cancer cells.
Target Specific Therapy
These therapies target specific characteristics of cancer cells. Target specific therapies are less likely to harm normal, healthy cells.
Holistic Therapy
The patient is treated in whole by focusing on not just the physical, but also the mental and emotional stress of the patient.
Clinical Trials
There are often research projects which are looking at new treatments or procedures.
The advances in the treatment of breast cancer this past 10 years brings significant hope to patients. There are many treatment options, and often times more than one treatment is used.
Treatment plans are designed around the type of cancer, the stage a patient’s cancer is at, and the patient’s choice.
Many treatments do carry significant and/or serious side effects.

FAQS

SYMPTOMS

TREATMENTS

RESOURCES
Our Reviews
GET BACK TO LIVING WELL! WE'RE HERE TO HELP