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A new website designed to offer you a simpler, clearer, and more intuitive experience. Patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and donors: find information, news, and services more easily.
Breast Cancer Treatments
Breast cancer treatment is tailored to the extent of the disease, its biological characteristics, and each patient’s individual situation. It may combine surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapies. The order in which these treatments are administered varies: some are given before surgery, others after. The treatment strategy is discussed during a multidisciplinary team meeting.
Treatment Guided by Tumor Biology
Hormone receptors, HER2 status, histological subtype, stage, and certain biomarkers all play a role in treatment selection. Therefore, two cases of breast cancer may not necessarily receive the same treatment strategy.
In cases of localized breast cancer
For cancer confined to the breast and nearby lymph nodes, treatment is aimed at a cure. Surgery plays a central role, but it may be preceded or followed by drug therapy and supplemented by radiation therapy.
Surgery may preserve the breast through a lumpectomy or remove the entire gland through a mastectomy. Lymph node management is tailored to the specific situation. At Gustave Roussy, the teams also offer oncoplastic surgery techniques and, when possible and desired, immediate or delayed reconstruction using implants or the patient’s own tissue. The choice is discussed with the patient, taking into account her cancer treatment, body type, and preferences.
Radiation therapy is most often performed after breast-conserving surgery and may also be recommended after a mastectomy, depending on the risk of recurrence. It targets the breast or the chest wall and, if necessary, certain lymph node regions. Hypofractionated regimens reduce the number of treatment sessions. At Gustave Roussy, a five-day treatment course may be offered to certain patients with localized cancer without lymph node involvement, following evaluation by the radiation oncologist.
Chemotherapy may be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor, assess its sensitivity to treatment, or facilitate breast-conserving surgery. After surgery, it may be recommended to lower the risk of recurrence. Whether it is indicated depends on the tumor subtype, stage, risk of recurrence, and the patient’s overall health.
Hormone therapy is recommended when the tumor expresses hormone receptors. It reduces the effect of estrogen on tumor cells. Depending on age, menopausal status, and risk level, treatment may involve tamoxifen, an aromatase inhibitor, and, in some premenopausal women, ovarian suppression. The duration and choice of treatment are tailored to each individual.
HER2-targeted therapies are used to treat HER2-positive cancers. Other targeted therapies may be recommended for certain high-risk forms of cancer, including CDK4/6 inhibitors for certain hormone-dependent cancers or a PARP inhibitor in cases of BRCA1 or BRCA2 predisposition, depending on medical criteria. The choice depends on specific and evolving data, which are evaluated by the specialized team.
Immunotherapy can be incorporated into the treatment of certain high-risk triple-negative breast cancers, particularly in conjunction with surgery. It is not indicated for all breast cancers, and its use depends on the stage, subtype, and treatment regimen selected.
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Breast-Conserving Surgery
Removing the tumor while preserving the breast whenever possible.
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Breast Reconstruction
Prepare for immediate or delayed reconstruction based on the treatment plan.
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Pre- or Post-Treatment
Adjust the treatment sequence to increase effectiveness and reduce the risk of recurrence.
In cases of metastatic breast cancer
Once the disease has spread to distant sites, treatment aims to control its progression over the long term, relieve symptoms, and maintain quality of life. The strategy relies primarily on drug therapies, which are selected based on the characteristics of the cancer and reevaluated during follow-up.
Depending on the disease subtype, treatment may combine hormone therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, anti-HER2 therapies, antibody conjugates, or other targeted therapies. A new biopsy of a metastasis may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and reassess hormone receptor status, HER2 status, and certain biomarkers.
Radiation therapy, surgery, or an interventional radiology technique may be used to treat a specific lesion, relieve a symptom, or control a threatening lesion. Their appropriate use is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Treatment that targets the bone may be recommended to reduce the risk of bone complications. It is part of the overall cancer treatment strategy and the management of pain and mobility.
The biology of the disease may change
In metastatic cancer, the biological characteristics may differ from those of the primary tumor. A biopsy and tissue or blood tests can help guide a change in treatment.
Research and Clinical Trials
Gustave Roussy conducts clinical trials for localized and metastatic cancers to evaluate new molecules, combination therapies, treatment sequences, or de-escalation strategies. Participation may be offered when the study’s circumstances and criteria allow it. Participation is always voluntary and is accompanied by detailed information.
Rapidly Evolving Trials
Rather than posting a static list of studies on this page—which could quickly become outdated—we should create a dynamic module linked to the clinical trials database, with filters by stage and breast cancer subtype.
Join a clinical trial
Many clinical trials are open to patients with cancer. Participating in a clinical trial provides access to innovative treatments while contributing to the development of new therapies.
Supportive Care
Supportive care is integrated into the treatment plan as soon as necessary: pain and fatigue management, psychological support, nutrition, adapted physical activity, sexual health, fertility, management of side effects, and returning to personal or professional life.
Preserving Quality of Life
The choice of treatment takes into account the expected benefits, possible side effects, and the patient's priorities. Treatments and their tolerability are reassessed throughout the course of care.