Treatment for locally advanced breast cancer

Some patients whose cancer is locally advanced because it has grown directly into the skin overlying the breast are suitable for surgery and are treated in an identical way to patients with early or operable breast cancer. The majority of patients with locally advanced breast cancer are treated with drug therapy followed by surgery and/or radiotherapy. Some patients with locally advanced breast cancer are treated by radiotherapy initially which can be followed by drug therapy and/or surgery. Drug therapy can consist of either hormonal therapy in slower growing hormone sensitive cancers or chemotherapy in hormone sensitive or more rapidly growing cancers.