Surgery:

If detected early, surgery may bring about a cure. The whole of the breast is removed including the underlying glands. The operation is called radical mastectomy. This is done in order to leave no doubt about recurrence of the cancer.

Radiation:

If the cancer mass is of moderate size, then besides the above-stated surgery, radiation treatment is given to the patient in order to kill any remaining cancer cell. Radiation is given 4 to 5 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks. The side-effect of radiation is soreness or discomfort to the exposed area. Radiation is also given in case of recurrence of the disease.

Chemotherapy:

In order to do away with exigency of recurrence, chemotherapy is given, besides the surgery and radiation, particularly in younger patients. In older patients, after menopause, the rapidity of growth of the cancer decreases, or the effect of recurrence are slow to appear. A single drug or a combination of them are suggested.

Side-effects include:

Nausea.
Tiredness.
Partial hair loss.
Susceptibility to infection.

Hormone Treatment:

It is long known that removal of the ovaries, lessens the size of the breast cancer. The same result can be obtained if the adrenal glands are removed.Nowadays, instead of doing the operation of removing the ovaries (oophorectomy), anti-hormone drugs like Timoxifen are given in selected patients who are known to respond to such a treatment. Not all patients respond to this treatment; prior testing can reveal which patient would respond.

Prognosis:

If the breast cancer recurs, after any or all modes of treatment, the chances of cure, are not bright. However, even such a patient can live for many years. An older patient may live up to her normal life span.