List of Treatments for Breast Cancer

Abraxane (Paclitaxel protein-bound)

Overview
Abraxane is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer after other treatments have failed. Abraxane may be also referred to by its drug name,… read more

Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine

Overview
Ado-trastuzumab emtansine is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat some cases of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine may be… read more

Afinitor (Everolimus)

Overview
Afinitor is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat advanced breast cancer in combination with exemestane after treatment with letrozole or anastrozole has failed.… read more

Arimidex (Anastrozole)

Overview
Arimidex is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women in cases where the cancer is early-stage and hormone receptor-positive,… read more

Aromasin (Exemestane)

Overview
Aromasin is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005 to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer after menopause. Aromasin is used as an adjuvant, or… read more

Axillary lymph node dissection

Overview
Axillary lymph node dissection is the surgical removal of several lymph nodes, usually between five and 30, from the underarm area. It is both a diagnostic procedure performed in order to determine whether… read more

Bilateral Mastectomy

Overview
Mastectomy is surgery intended to remove all breast tissue. Mastectomy to remove one breast is referred to as unilateral mastectomy; if both breasts are removed, it is referred to as bilateral mastectomy.… read more

Carboplatin

Overview
Carboplatin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ovarian cancer, but it is also sometimes used off-label to treat other types of cancer, including breast cancer…

Chemotherapy

Overview
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs. Chemotherapy drugs may be taken intravenously or orally. Chemotherapy may be given after surgery (referred to as adjuvant chemotherapy), before surgery… read more

Clinical Trials

Overview
Depending on several factors, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials studying new treatments for breast cancer. Clinical trials are the only way that new treatments for breast cancer can be… read more

Cold Cap

Overview

Cold caps cool the scalp to help minimize or prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy.

What does it involve?
Scalp cooling works by reducing blood flow to the scalp before, during, and after… read more

Ellence (Epirubicin hydrochloride)

Overview
Ellence is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with axillary node tumor involvement after removal of primary breast cancer. Ellence may be also referred… read more

Enhertu (Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)

Overview
Enhertu is a combination prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with unresectable (cannot be surgically removed) or metastatic HER2-postive breast cancer who… read more

Evista (Raloxifene)

Overview
Evista is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent the development of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at high risk for the disease.… read more

Fareston (Toremifene)

Overview
Fareston is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to delay the progression of metastatic, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Fareston was… read more

Faslodex (Fulvestrant)

Overview
Faslodex is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose cancer progressed after treatment with… read more

Femara (Letrozole)

Overview
Femara is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Femara is used as an adjuvant, or post-surgical,… read more

Gemzar (Gemcitabine)

Overview
Gemzar is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer in individuals who have not…

Halaven (Eribulin mesylate)

Overview
Halaven is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer in adults who have previously received two chemotherapy regimens. Halaven may be also… read more

Herceptin (Trastuzumab)

Overview
Herceptin is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer in cases where tumors overexpress the HER2 protein and one or more chemotherapy… read more

Herceptin Hylecta (Trastuzumab/Hyaluronidase-oysk)

Overview
Herceptin Hylecta is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjuvant treatment for metastatic breast cancer in cases where tumors overexpress the HER2 protein and one… read more

Herzuma (Trastuzumab-Pkrb)

Overview
Herzuma is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. It is prescribed for people with both early-stage and metastatic (cancer that has spread)…

Ibrance (Palbociclib)

Overview
Ibrance is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with metastatic breast cancer in combination with other medications. Ibrance is prescribed in cases where… read more

Infugem (Gemcitabine)

Overview
Infugem is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. It is specifically used when previous…

Itovebi (Inavolisib)

Overview
Itovebi is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor…

Ixempra (Ixabepilone)

Overview
Ixempra is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer after at least two other therapies have not worked. Ixempra may be… read more

Kadcyla (Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine)

Overview
Kadcyla is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat some cases of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer. Kadcyla may be prescribed in cases where trastuzumab and a… read more

Kanjinti (Trastuzumab-Anns)

Overview
Kanjinti is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. This medication is indicated for people with tumors that produce high levels of the HER2…

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)

Overview
Keytruda is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat people with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Keytruda is indicated to treat early-stage, high-risk TNBC… read more

Kisqali (Ribociclib)

Overview
Kisqali is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an initial endocrine-based treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2… read more

Lumpectomy

Overview
Lumpectomy, also known as breast-conserving or breast-sparing surgery, wide local excision, or partial mastectomy, is surgery to remove a breast cancer tumor along with some of the normal breast tissue that… read more

Lynparza (Olaparib)

Overview
Lynparza is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer. Lynparza may be prescribed for either hormone receptor-positive or -negative cases,… read more

Margenza (Margetuximab-cmkb)

Overview
Margenza is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior therapies. Margenza may… read more

Mastectomy

Overview
Mastectomy is surgery intended to remove all breast tissue. It is used as treatment for breast cancer or as prevention for women who are at especially high risk for developing breast cancer. Mastectomy to… read more

Methotrexate

Overview
Methotrexate is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and severe psoriasis. Methotrexate… read more

Nerlynx (Neratinib)

Overview
Nerlynx is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment for adults with early stage breast cancer in which HER2 is overexpressed or amplified.… read more

Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim)

Overview

Neulasta is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower the risk of developing infections after receiving chemotherapy or some types of radiation. Neulasta is also known by… read more

Neupogen (Filgrastim)

Overview
Neupogen is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent febrile neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells, plus fever). If your white blood cell count is low due to… read more

Ogivri (Trastuzumab-dkst)

Overview
Ogivri is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat breast cancer in cases where tumors overexpress the HER2 protein. Ogivri is also known by its drug name,… read more

Ontruzant (Trastuzumab-Dttb)

Overview
Ontruzant is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Ontruzant is prescribed for both early-stage and metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Individuals are…

Orserdu (Elacestrant)

Overview
Orserdu is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating postmenopausal women and adult men with estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive), HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced, or…

Perjeta (Pertuzumab)

Overview
Perjeta is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer in cases where tumors overexpress the HER2 protein and chemotherapy or anti-HER2 therapy… read more

Pertuzumab

Overview
Pertuzumab is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer in cases where tumors overexpress the HER2 protein and chemotherapy or anti-HER2… read more

Phesgo (Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase-zzxf)

Overview
Phesgo is a combination prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with chemotherapy to treat adults with early-stage HER-2 positive breast cancer. Phesgo is also approved… read more

Piqray (Alpelisib)

Overview

Piqray is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat advanced or metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Piqray is also known by its drug name, Alpelisib.… read more

Radiation Therapy

Overview
Radiation therapy helps prevent the return or spread of cancer. It is most frequently used after surgery, especially lumpectomy. If you have had a mastectomy, your doctor may decide that you don’t need… read more

Reconstructive Surgery

Overview
Many women choose reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy or bilateral mastectomy in order to restore the appearance and feel of their breasts. There are many different options for reconstruction, including… read more

Sentinel node biopsy

Overview
Sentinel node biopsy is the surgical removal of one or more lymph nodes for testing. It is a diagnostic procedure performed in order to determine whether breast cancer has developed the ability to spread… read more

Soltamox (Tamoxifen Citrate)

Overview
Soltamox is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer, as an adjuvant treatment for early-stage ER-positive breast…

Talzenna (Talazoparib)

Overview
Talzenna is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with HER2-negative and germline BRCA-mutated breast cancer that is metastatic or locally advanced.… read more

Tamoxifen

Overview
Tamoxifen is a prescription drug first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1977 to treat breast cancer. Tamoxifen was later also approved to prevent breast cancer. Tamoxifen is commonly… read more

Taxotere (Docetaxel)

Overview
Taxotere is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after chemotherapy hasn’t worked. Taxotere is also approved to treat… read more

Tecentriq (Atezolizumab)

Overview
Tecentriq is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in cases where surgery is not an option and the tumor is… read more

Trastuzumab

Overview
Trastuzumab is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer in cases where tumors overexpress the HER2 protein and one or more chemotherapy… read more

Trazimera (Trastuzumab-Qyyp)

Overview
Trazimera is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Individuals who are eligible for Trazimera must have breast cancer that overexpresses…

Trodelvy (Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)

Overview
Trodelvy is a combination prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have tried at least two other treatments.… read more

Truqap (Capivasertib)

Overview
Truqap is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in combination with fulvestrant to treat some cases of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor… read more

Tukysa (Tucatinib)

Overview
Tukysa is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with advanced inoperable or metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. Tukysa may be also referred to by its drug name,… read more

Tykerb (Lapatinib)

Overview
Tykerb is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer in combination with capecitabine in cases where tumors overexpress the HER2 protein. The… read more

Verzenio (Abemaciclib)

Overview
Verzenio is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Verzenio may be prescribed in combination with Faslodex (fulvestrant), or… read more

Xeloda (Capecitabine)

Overview
Xeloda is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic breast cancer. Xeloda may be prescribed either as monotherapy (on its own) in cases resistant to… read more

Zarxio (Filgrastim-sndz)

Overview
Zarxio is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat febrile neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells, plus fever). If you have neutropenia caused by chemotherapy for… read more

Zoladex (Goserelin Implant)

Overview
Zoladex is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the palliative treatment of advanced breast cancer in premenopausal and perimenopausal women, according to the prescribing information. This…