Breast Cancer

Innovative Therapeutic Approaches in Breast Cancer

Targeted Therapies is one of the innovative in breast cancer treatment. Several clinical trials led by physician-scientists at Mass General are revealing the power of new targeted anticancer therapies in breast cancer. Everolimus is a targeted therapy that works by zeroing in on the mTOR protein, which is regulated by the family of enzymes known as PI3 kinases (PI3K). In healthy cells, mTOR is involved in cell growth, cell proliferation, protein synthesis, and many other functions. In tumor cells, the mTOR pathway goes awry, leading to excess proliferation and a failure to respond to normal growth regulatory mechanisms. Everolimus in postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer.

Surgery for Breast Cancer is really challenging to cure the breast cancer without any side effects. Lumpectomy is Surgery to remove the tumor along with some surrounding healthy tissue, leaving the margins (tissue bordering the tumor) free from cancer. Quadrantectomy is a breast-conserving surgery, this procedure removes one-fourth of the breast tissue. Mastectomy is a surgery to remove all the breast tissue. The most common type of mastectomy today is called a modified radical mastectomy, in which the breast tissue is removed but the muscles in the chest wall are spared, preserving arm strength. Lymphadenectomy is a surgery to remove one or more lymph nodes in the tumor area. Nodes are then examined for cancer by our pathology department. Oophorectomy is a removing the female ovaries to decrease hormone production. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery are the surgeries to restore or improve the appearance of the breast. Some women choose to have reconstruction surgery at the time of a mastectomy; others defer a decision about reconstruction until a later time.