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Breast Cancer

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The treatment of breast cancer, particularly in advanced stages, requires innovative and individually tailored therapeutic approaches. Remarkable results are achieved through combined immunotherapies, which the Hallwang Clinic specifically adapts to the needs of its patients.

Breast tumors typically originate from breast tissue, meaning they begin to grow in the breast and can invade other body parts or organs, spreading there (metastasis). The signs and symptoms of breast cancer (Mamma CA) vary widely and may include a lump in the breast, swollen axillary lymph nodes, changes in breast shape, alterations in the skin around the breast, or discharge from the nipple.

The following types of tumors are common in breast cancer:

  • HER2-positive breast cancer: Tumors with overexpression of the HER2 protein.
  • HER2-negative breast cancer: Tumors without overexpression of the HER2 protein.
  • Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: Tumors with estrogen and/or progesterone receptors.
  • Hormone receptor-negative breast cancer: Tumors without these hormone receptors.
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): Tumors that do not express HER2, estrogen, or progesterone receptors.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Patients often detect breast cancer by feeling a lump in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue. Preventative screenings, particularly mammograms, frequently identify early stages of the disease. A common misconception is that only women can develop breast cancer; men are also affected.

If breast cancer is suspected, doctors typically perform imaging such as a PET-CT, CT staging, or MRI to determine whether and where tumors are present in the body. If an abnormal mass is identified, a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken to determine the tumor’s characteristics. Histopathological analysis identifies the exact cell type of the tumor. There are many types of tumors, each with unique genetic characteristics. For breast cancer, histopathological analysis of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and HER2 receptor status is standard practice. This plays a critical role in deciding the appropriate therapy.

Patients whose tumor tissue tests positive for one or more of these receptors often benefit from antihormone therapy, treatment with humanized monoclonal antibodies, or therapies involving antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Patients whose tumor cells lack these three receptor types (ER, PR, and HER2) are classified as triple-negative. However, even triple-negative tumors may express receptors for other hormones, such as androgen or prolactin receptors, which may also be relevant for therapy.

Most patients are unaware that after the initial biopsy to determine the tumor type, the tissue is stored in the histopathology department of the hospital where the biopsy was performed. This tissue can be used for advanced genetic tissue analysis and sequencing. Tumors often exhibit multiple genetic modifications that give cancer cells a selective growth advantage. Using advanced high-throughput technologies, it is now possible to identify these mutated genes, leading to effective targeted therapy.

Thorough screening of tumor tissue is crucial to exploring all possibilities for targeted breast cancer treatment—whether in a private setting or within a clinical trial. Therefore, it is important to find a laboratory that examines your tumor tissue for all markers and mutations and to identify an oncologist willing to work with you to achieve the best and most targeted outcomes.

Breast Cancer Treatment: What is the Best Therapy?

Due to widespread screening, breast tumors are often detected early and surgically removed, frequently accompanied by lymph node removal, known as lymphadenectomy. Additionally, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are usually recommended. However, both treatment forms can cause significant cytotoxic side effects. One of the most advanced treatments for breast cancer patients today is the use of combined immunotherapies, primarily within the framework of an umbrella concept.

Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer

Immunotherapy represents a groundbreaking advance in cancer treatment, as it activates the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Two complementary approaches are employed:

Active Immunization: This trains the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells, leading to cell destruction or slowed tumor growth.

Passive Immunization: This involves administering antibodies or antibody fragments via infusion or injection, which specifically target and destroy cancer cells.

The range of immunotherapeutic approaches is vast, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), checkpoint-blocking antibodies (anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1), as well as monoclonal, polyclonal, and trifunctional antibodies.

Breast Cancer Therapy at the Hallwang Clinic: Advanced Therapeutic Concepts

The Hallwang Clinic has developed one of the most advanced genomic and immunotherapeutic profiles worldwide. Thanks to our top-tier expert network, close research collaborations, and unrestricted access to the most innovative therapies, we offer a decisive advantage in providing personalized cancer treatments. Our highly specialized oncology team employs a holistic and integrative approach to cancer treatment, combining state-of-the-art medical technologies with proven complementary methods. This enables us to achieve outstanding results and improve survival rates, even for patients with stage 4 cancer.

Patients from around the world choose the Hallwang Clinic for the best breast cancer treatment. In addition to our advanced therapeutic concepts, excellent medical care, and international focus, the trusting and compassionate atmosphere contributes to promoting the best possible recovery.

We warmly invite you to contact us to learn more about our holistic cancer treatment center.

Important: Our oncological team is happy to talk to you by phone to get a deeper understanding about your specific case, enabling to provide you with a provisional treatment plan and cost estimate. Our oncologists will provide you all the details on medications, therapeutics and treatments including underlying mechanism and side effects. After a physical examination and an in-depth discussion with you on-site, the definite treatment plan will be discussed. Please understand that complex medical processes as mentioned above can only be explained through a thorough consultation on-site.

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