Breast cancer treatment is complex, requiring deep clinical expertise. This is, in part, because each patient is unique; different patients have different cancer subtypes, staging, comorbidities, genetic makeups and health concerns.
This means that there is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach to breast cancer treatment. Sometimes, treatment works for a time before the cancer returns; other times, the cancer may never return after treatment.
What is treatment resistance?
Treatment resistance in breast cancer can refer to one of two situations: either treatment never worked in the first place, or treatment may have worked for a time but is no longer effective.
In the first instance, the cancer cells do not respond to treatment from the very beginning. In simple terms, this means that the tumor in your breast fails to shrink after treatment has been administered.
In the second instance, the tumor may demonstrate initial signs of shrinking. However, after some time, the treatment may lose its efficacy and the cancer continues to progress.
How treatment methods are determined
Because treatment strategies in cancer are highly tailored towards the individual patient, your oncologist will adjust your treatment based on how you respond to the therapies prescribed, taking into account various factors such as your cancer stage, treatment side effects, your age, and your overall health.
Learn more about breast cancer treatment and care
Because there are several treatments and therapies available for managing cancer, your oncologist will likely try a different therapy or combination of therapies to see if they may be more effective. The therapies typically available to treat breast cancer include surgical tumor removal, which is only possible if the cancer has not metastasized, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapies. Your oncologist will carefully evaluate the best treatment for your situation and should discuss with you the benefits and challenges of each option.
In addition, there may be some experimental therapies that have not yet received official regulatory approval that you may qualify for. These are usually tested as part of a clinical trial and have not yet undergone the clinical rigor necessary for them to be deemed safe for the general population.
Managing treatment resistance
Hearing the news that your breast cancer has developed treatment resistance can be deeply discouraging. It is important to try to remain positive and open to other treatment options with your oncologist if this occurs.
Most importantly, allow yourself some time to process this information and try to surround yourself with family and friends who will support you throughout your journey with breast cancer.