Breast cancer is the most common cancer seen in women. An effective treatment and follow-up process is vital in managing the disease. The role of medical oncology specialists is crucial in successfully managing this disease. The follow-up and treatment processes are personalized according to the patient’s general condition, the histological subtype of the cancer, its stage, and other factors.
A multidisciplinary approach should be preferred in the treatment of breast cancer. In this process, many methods such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy can be used consecutively or together. After evaluating the individual needs and conditions of the patients, the most appropriate treatment plan is created. Regular follow-ups monitor the response to treatment, and updates are made to the treatment process if necessary.
What Are the Treatment and Follow-Up Processes for Breast Cancer?
The treatment and follow-up processes for breast cancer begin after the cancer diagnosis is made. Oncology follow-up includes continuous observation and interventions regarding the patient’s condition during the post-treatment period. This process encompasses monitoring the patient’s health status, evaluating the effects of treatment, and creating new treatment plans if necessary.
The primary goal in breast cancer treatment is to keep the disease under control and to improve the patient’s quality of life. Therefore, effective cancer follow-up is considered an indispensable part of the treatment process.
How Do Oncology Treatment Processes Work?
Oncology treatment processes are generally carried out with a multidisciplinary approach. Oncology treatment processes generally include:
- Diagnosis: Cancer diagnosis can be made using methods such as physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and biopsy.
- Staging: Various imaging techniques are used to determine the stage of the disease.
- Treatment Plan: A personalized treatment plan is created considering the tumor type, the stage of cancer, and the patient’s general condition. The treatment process is planned with applications tailored to the personal needs of the patients.
- Treatment Application: Special treatment methods such as surgical intervention, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy are used.
- Control and Follow-Up: Post-treatment monitoring processes are carried out to assess the risk of recurrence and manage side effects.
The treatment processes for oncology patients generally include these. However, these processes may vary according to the patient’s personal health condition and the course of the disease.
What Follow-Up Methods Are Used in Breast Cancer Treatment?
The oncology follow-up methods used in breast cancer treatment are quite diverse. These methods include some imaging techniques (such as ultrasonography and mammography), regular physical examinations, biopsies, and blood tests. While these methods help evaluate the patient’s condition, they also allow for the early detection of possible recurrences. In addition, these follow-up methods play a critical role in monitoring how patients respond to treatment during cancer therapy. Each method applied is meticulously performed to observe the patient’s overall health status and optimize the treatment plan. This way, it becomes possible to create the most effective roadmap during the breast cancer treatment process.
What Is Chemotherapy and How Is It Applied?
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment aimed at stopping the growth of cancer cells. In breast cancer, it can generally be applied before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery. The administration of chemotherapy is carried out with intravenous (IV) or orally taken medications. The duration of treatment and the drug combination are determined according to the patient’s needs.
How Is Hormonal Therapy Applied for Breast Cancer?
Hormonal therapy aims to block the effects of estrogen in hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. This method is generally applied after surgery and involves medications such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) or aromatase inhibitors. The treatment process may vary depending on the status of hormone receptors.
What Is Targeted Therapy and How Does It Work?
Targeted therapy is a treatment method that affects specific molecules unique to cancer cells. In breast cancer, drugs such as trastuzumab and pertuzumab are used for HER2 receptor-positive patients. With the drugs used, the progression of cancer can be halted. Thus, the likelihood of a favorable course of the disease (good prognosis) increases.
What Are the Side Effects of Oncology Treatment Processes?
The drugs used in cancer treatment, surgery, and radiotherapy can lead to many side effects. These side effects generally include hair loss, nausea, feeling fatigued, and weakening of the immune system.
Managing these side effects is important to maintain the patient’s overall health and increase the comfort of the treatment process. Additionally, cancer risk assessment helps predict which side effects patients may experience in advance. The assessment process allows individuals to determine their preparations for treatment and methods to cope with side effects. Thus, the oncology treatment process can be managed more effectively.
What Are the Differences Between Oncology Follow-Up and Surgical Intervention?
Surgical intervention constitutes a critical part of the treatment process, while oncology follow-up is important for protecting the patient’s health. Medical oncology follow-up ensures continuous monitoring of the patient and obtaining information about their condition. Surgical intervention, on the other hand, involves the physical removal of the tumor.
What Is the Importance of Psycho-Oncology in Breast Cancer?
Psycho-oncology focuses on the psychological needs of cancer patients. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer may struggle to cope with the psychological burdens brought by the treatment process. Psycho-oncologists help patients receive emotional support and manage symptoms, thereby improving their quality of life.
What Is the Importance of Nutrition in Breast Cancer?
Nutrition plays a critical role in the treatment process of breast cancer. A balanced and regular nutrition program can improve the immune system. Thus, the side effects of treatment can be reduced, and overall health can be improved. Consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants may be beneficial for individuals experiencing breast cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Oncology Processes Last in Breast Cancer Treatment?
The duration of oncology processes can vary depending on the treatment method applied, the current stage of the disease, and the individual’s overall health condition. The completion time of oncology processes generally encompasses a wide time frame (a few months to a few years).
The importance of oncology follow-up and treatment processes in breast cancer treatment plays a critical role in evaluating the response of patients to treatment and detecting possible recurrences at an early stage. This process is made more effective by supporting regular examinations and imaging techniques.
What Are the Side Effects of Drugs Used in Medical Oncology Treatment?
Side effects can vary from person to person. Additionally, the side effects of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapies differ from one another. Commonly occurring side effects may include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and increased susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system. Furthermore, some patients may experience additional symptoms such as pain in the breast during the treatment process. Such pain may arise due to hormonal changes or as a response to treatment. Since breast pain can increase the discomfort felt by patients during the treatment process, managing and evaluating this symptom is important. Doctors aim to enhance patients’ quality of life by monitoring such side effects during the treatment process.
Which Patients Require Medical Oncology Follow-Up?
Follow-up is necessary for all individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. Additionally, it is important to monitor individuals at high risk of cancer. To manage oncology follow-up processes more effectively, an integrated oncology tumor council serves patients. This council consists of a team of specialized medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and other health professionals. Among the goals of the tumor council are to develop customized treatment plans according to the individual needs of each patient and to organize the oncology care process in the best possible way. Thus, breast cancer patients and individuals at high risk are meticulously monitored with a multidisciplinary approach and benefit from the most up-to-date treatment options. This strategy constitutes a critical step to improve health outcomes for patients and enhance their quality of life.
Can Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Be Applied Together?
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be used together in some cases. This situation depends on the patient’s treatment plan and the stage of the disease. However, in breast cancer, it is a more appropriate approach to apply radiotherapy after chemotherapy in adjuvant/neoadjuvant applications.
What Should Be Considered During Medical Oncology Treatment?
During the treatment process, regular doctor check-ups, healthy nutrition, adequate fluid intake, and physical activity should be maintained. Monitoring and managing side effects is also important.
What Should Be Considered After Medical Oncology Treatment?
In the post-treatment period, regular follow-up appointments should be made, healthy lifestyle habits should be continued, and emotional support should be provided.
How Long Does the Medical Oncology Follow-Up Process Last and What Is the Path to Be Followed?
The follow-up process generally continues for years after the treatment is completed. This process is maintained with physical examinations, imaging, and blood tests at designated intervals. Generally, follow-up examinations are recommended every 3 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months for the next 2 years, and then annually.
In our Integrated Oncology Center, our tumor council, which meets twice a week, continues to offer personalized treatment methods to each patient with our team of 19 specialists, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, geneticists, interventional radiologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and oncological surgeons (brain surgeons, head and neck surgeons, thoracic surgeons, gynecological oncologists, urologists, gastrointestinal specialists, and general surgeons specialized in breast cancer).
