Bilateral breast cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells begin to grow and spread within the tissues of the breasts. These cells may continue to grow to form tumors, which over time can spread to other parts of the body. Although there is no definitive cause of breast cancer, it's most likely caused by a complex combination of a person's genetic makeup and environment, explains MayoClinic.com. Treatment options for bilateral breast cancer depend on the stage and severity of the disease as well as the patient's overall health.
Surgery
According to the National Cancer Institute, most patients with breast cancer have surgery to remove the cancer from the breast. The type of surgery indicated depends on the stage and location of the disease. In early stages, the surgeon may perform a lumpectomy. During a lumpectomy, the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue are removed from the breast. In more advanced cases, the doctor may recommend a mastectomy. During a mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast, and sometimes axillary lymph nodes and some of the chest wall. The lymph nodes are sent to a pathologist, who examines them to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the breasts. Some women may choose to have reconstructive surgery done at the time of surgery, while others may wait until a later date.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of strong medications intended to kill and destroy cancer cells. It may be given intravenously or in the form of a pill. Some patients may choose to have a medi-port placed prior to chemotherapy. A medi-port is a small port surgically implanted inside a major blood vessel in the body. Certain chemotherapeutic agents are caustic on the smaller veins in the body, so a medi-port may make receiving chemotherapy easier. According to MayoClinic.com, chemotherapy is sometimes given before surgery in women with larger breast tumors to shrink the tumors to a size that makes them easier to remove with surgery.
Radiation Therapy
Some patients with bilateral breast cancer may choose to undergo radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-beam x-rays to destroy cancer cells. It may be given from a machine placed outside of the body, or internally, through the surgical implantation of radioactive wires, rods or seeds.
Hormonal Therapy
Certain types of breast cancer may be especially sensitive to some hormones in the body. Hormone therapy may be indicated in these patients to block the action of these hormones and stop the cancer cells from growing. The patient may undergo hormone therapy after surgery or other treatments to decrease the chance of the cancer returning, explains MayoClinic.com.
