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Summary & Participants

A diagnosis of breast cancer usually leads to some form of surgery. Afterward, various therapies help guard against spread or recurrence of disease. Side effects are common, but many are more easily managed than just a few years ago. Listen as experts describe treatment options and explain what women can expect.

Medically Reviewed On: May 07, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: After a woman with breast cancer undergoes surgery, she's often prescribed what's called "adjuvant" therapy, which targets cancer cells that may remain in her body.

AMAN BUZDAR, MD: The goal of adjuvant therapy in breast cancer is to cut down the risk of recurrence of cancer and keep the woman free of cancer as long as we can.

ANNOUNCER: Adjuvant therapy kills diseased cells. But it often interferes with normal biological processes. Side effects are often the result.

The most common adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is chemotherapy.

GENEROSA GRANA, MD: The main toxicity with chemotherapy revolves around hair loss for many of the regimens, which is complete and usually occurs within two weeks of the administration of chemotherapy; nausea and vomiting, low blood counts, low white count, low platelet count, low hemoglobin that may put a woman at risk of infection or bleeding; fatigue.

ANNOUNCER: More serious -- but very rare -- side effects from chemotherapy can include nerve damage, heart damage and leukemia.

Some drugs can damage the ovaries, reducing the production of estrogen. Pre-mature menopause can result.

GENEROSA GRANA, MD: One of the problems for young women is menopause. Many of these chemotherapy regimens will stop menstrual function, and depending on the age of the woman, she may go into permanent menopause. So for the woman who has not completed her family, that can often be a really upsetting situation.

ANNOUNCER: But most of the other side effects associated with chemotherapy can be effectively managed. Especially side effects that used to cause big problems just a few years ago.

WILLIAM GRADISHAR, MD: Nausea and vomiting, generally what we tell our patients today is those things are more of the past than the present. It doesn't mean that a woman won't experience some queasiness, maybe not feel quite right, but the newer antiemetic or antinausea drugs that we use -- both before chemotherapy and for patients to take home with them, have largely eliminated the nausea and vomiting.

ANNOUNCER: Another type of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is radiation. GENEROSA GRANA, MD: The main serious side effects of radiation are darkening of the skin, ulceration of the skin. These are self-limited. For some small number of women you can get a swollen, thickened breast long term, a darkened breast long term with some local discomfort, but by and large, most women tolerate radiation therapy quite well.

ANNOUNCER: In very rare instances, radiation itself can cause cancer.

But in most cases, side effects from radiation can be managed. Often with creams and sometimes by interrupting the treatment for short periods, to allow breast tissue to heal.

Breast cancer cells often contain receptors for estrogen or progesterone. In these cases, hormonal agents can also be used in adjuvant therapy.

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