Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
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/ Updated December 8th, 2021

Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

Medical Source: Dr. Elizabeth Comen
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
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Hormone therapy for breast cancer is one line of defense in the vast tool kit for treatment.

It’s used for hormone receptor-positive cancers, which are actually the most common types of breast cancers. When a tumor is “hormone receptor-positive,” it means that a pathologist has run special tests on the cancer to determine that it is positive for either the estrogen and/or progesterone receptor.

When a certain type of cancer tests positive for being hormone-receptive, it means that the cancer needs the hormones estrogen and/or progesterone to grow.

Your doctor will then determine what type of treatment is best for your type of cancer.


Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Dr. Elizabeth Comen serves as a medical advisor to SurvivorNet. She is a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Read More

Hormone therapy for breast cancer is one line of defense in the vast tool kit for treatment.

It’s used for hormone receptor-positive cancers, which are actually the most common types of breast cancers. When a tumor is “hormone receptor-positive,” it means that a pathologist has run special tests on the cancer to determine that it is positive for either the estrogen and/or progesterone receptor.

Read More
When a certain type of cancer tests positive for being hormone-receptive, it means that the cancer needs the hormones estrogen and/or progesterone to grow.

Your doctor will then determine what type of treatment is best for your type of cancer.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Dr. Elizabeth Comen serves as a medical advisor to SurvivorNet. She is a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Read More

Hormone Therapies for Breast Cancer

Hormone therapies are used to treat hormone receptor-positive cancers, which are the most common breast cancers. We realize this type of language can be super confusing for patients, so we asked top doctors to explain the different types of hormone therapies.

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Treatment: Choosing Your Treatment

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An Overview of Breast Cancer Treatment

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The Unique Features of Breast Cancer: Deciding the Right Course of Treatment

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Introduction to Early-Stage Breast Cancer

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Breast Cancer Radiation: The Debate

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Treatment: COVID-19

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The COVID-19 Pandemic Shines Light On Value Of Healthcare Workers

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Hormonal Therapies For Breast Cancer Are Safe to Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Stress and Anxiety for Cancer Patients During COVID-19

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Treatment: Surgical Options

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A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.

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When Should You Consider a Mastectomy?

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Oncoplastic Surgery

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What is Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy?

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Lumpectomy or Mastectomy?

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Prophylactic Mastectomy For High-Risk Women

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How to Choose a Surgeon – Does Volume Matter?

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Treatment: Surgical Options

A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.

Treatment: Reconstruction

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For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.

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Breast Reconstruction: Regaining Your Sense of Self

Dr. Andrea Pusic
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Implant Reconstruction After a Mastectomy: The Options

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The Last Frontier: Restoring Sensation After Mastectomy

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Breast Reconstruction: Implants vs. Your Own Tissue

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Saline vs. Silicone Implants

Dr. Andrea Pusic
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Treatment: Reconstruction

For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.

Treatment: Stage Zero Breast Cancer

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What is Stage Zero Breast Cancer?

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Stage Zero: Should You Watch and Wait?

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Treatment: Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

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Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

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Hormone Therapies for Breast Cancer: Aromatase Inhibitor

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Treatment: Triple Negative Breast Cancer

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What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer?

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Treating Triple Negative Breast Cancer

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Treatment for Early Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

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Treatment Sequence for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

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Treatment Options for Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

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Treatment: HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

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Treatment for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

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HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Options

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Treatment: HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Treatment: Lymphedema

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Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.

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What is Lymphedema?

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Understanding and Treating Lymphedema

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Treatment: Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.

Continue The Journey

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