Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSurgeriesMastectomyTherapiesHome Remedies/LifestyleOTC OptionsPrescriptionsComplementary/AlternativeClinical TrialsNext in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer GuideTriple-Negative Breast Cancer Recurrence After Mastectomy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Surgeries
Mastectomy
Therapies
Home Remedies/Lifestyle
OTC Options
Prescriptions
Complementary/Alternative
Clinical Trials
Next in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Guide
Triple-negative breast cancer or TNBC is a subtype of breast cancer in which the cancer cells test negative for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors.Treatment options fortriple-negative breast cancerinclude chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation. Home remedies, prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can help alleviate symptoms of cancer and may reduce the side effects of treatment, but these approaches can’t shrink the tumor or cure cancer.
Several factors, such as your tumor size,grade, and stage (whether cancer has traveled to lymph nodes and other parts of the body) are used to determine the best treatment combination for you.
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Your cancer will need to be treated with one or more methods of removing, destroying, or shrinking tumor cells.
Radiation and chemotherapy may be used before and/or after surgery.
There are two major types of breast cancer surgery—includinglumpectomyandmastectomy—either of which can involve axillary lymph node dissection.
Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy is a limited surgery, also known as breast-conserving surgery. With it, your tumor and the tissue around it will be removed while preserving as much of your breast as possible.
Lumpectomies without radiation are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence than mastectomy and axillary dissection.Different follow-up and surveillance is typically recommended after a lumpectomy.
A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the breast, nipple,areola, and most of the underlying tissue.
If cancer has spread throughout the breast, the tumor is large, or there is a high risk of recurrence, a mastectomy may be recommended as a way to remove the whole tumor. Removal of both breasts (bilateral mastectomy) can also significantly lower the risk of developing breast cancer if you have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene or a strong family history of breast cancer.
There are also nipple-sparing procedures, which may be considered whenbreast reconstruction surgeryis planned.
Because a mastectomy is a more extensive surgery, it typically requires a longer hospital stay and recovery.
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
Your surgeon may remove some lymph nodes or all of the nodes located in theaxilla(the rounded area beneath the shoulder where the arm and body meet).
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Chemotherapy and radiation may be considered before and/or after surgery.
Chemotherapy
If you take chemotherapy prior to having surgery, the purpose is to shrink your tumor and to make your surgery less of a major procedure.Chemotherapy is also commonly taken after surgery if the tumor is large or if it has spread to lymph nodes or other areas of the body.
Chemo drugs can only be taken for a limited time (such as a few weeks or months), and the effects can linger for months after your treatment is completed.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is usually given using an external beam on the affected area of the breast. It carries several possible side effects, including fatigue, damage to surrounding tissues, skin reactions (e.g., redness), breast pain, and low white blood cell counts.
Why Targeted Therapy Can’t Be Used
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
If you have had any of the standard therapies for TNBC, you may experience symptoms due to your cancer or as side effects of treatment.
There are a number of strategies you can use at home to alleviate your symptoms:
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Options
You may need medication for the management of some of your breast cancer symptoms or for managing the side effects of breast cancer treatment. Keep in mind that OTC medications have side effects that could be harmful to your health, so you should discuss their use with your healthcare provider, even though they don’t require a prescription.
Several prescription medications may be helpful for you throughout the period of your TNBC treatment. Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe one or more of these medications.
Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)
CAM treatments can help lessen the side effects of TNBC radiation and chemotherapy, and help you practice self-care. Many of these therapies have their roots in Eastern medicine and focus attention on the mind and spirit, in addition to the physical body.
These approaches do not treat or shrink any type of breast cancer, including TNBC.
CAM therapies include:
These may be effective for managing side effects of cancer treatment, relieving pain, and improving your quality of life.
While CAM treatments are effective and helpful, not all are safe. Further, it is important to keep in mind these therapies are complementary and should not replace your healthcare provider’s treatment plan.
Some people who have breast cancer for which there is no effective treatment opt for enrolling in a clinical trial to get access to experimental therapy. Consider discussing this option with your healthcare provider. They may have more information on clinical trials you may qualify for, or you can check the National Cancer Institute’ssearchable database.
Summary
TNBC is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer. It’s also challenging to treat. If you know you have a family history of breast cancer or if you suspect you may have a gene that increases your chance of getting breast cancer early, see your healthcare provider for a screening.
Also, become familiar with the symptoms associated with TNBC such as depression and self-harm. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and home remedies that can ease symptoms (but won’t help you go into remission).
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.American Cancer Society.The truth about alternative medical treatments.Admoun C, Mayrovitz H.Choosing Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy-With-Radiation: Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18433. Published 2021 Oct 2. doi:10.7759/cureus.18433National Cancer Institute.Surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version.Robison J, Smith C.Therapeutic massage during chemotherapy and/or biotherapy infusions: patient perceptions of pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and satisfaction.Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2016. 20(2):E34-40. doi:10.1188/16.CJON.E34-E40Iowa Health Care.Preventing arm swelling after breast cancer surgery and radiation.Farvid MS, Holmes MD, Chen WY, et al.Postdiagnostic Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Breast Cancer Survival: Prospective Analyses in the Nurses' Health Studies.Cancer Res. 2020;80(22):5134-5143. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3515Saito Y, Kanno R, Takekuma Y, Takeshita T, Oshino T, Sugawara M.High dose of dexamethasone attenuates docetaxel-induced fluid retention in breast cancer treatment.Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):9247. Published 2023 Jun 7. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-36264-4Additional ReadingNational Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.Steward ST, Gao F& Taylor MA.Impact of radiation therapy on survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Oncol Lett. 2014 Feb; 7(2): 548–552. doi:10.3892/ol.2013.1700.Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.Treatment Options.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.American Cancer Society.The truth about alternative medical treatments.Admoun C, Mayrovitz H.Choosing Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy-With-Radiation: Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18433. Published 2021 Oct 2. doi:10.7759/cureus.18433National Cancer Institute.Surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version.Robison J, Smith C.Therapeutic massage during chemotherapy and/or biotherapy infusions: patient perceptions of pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and satisfaction.Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2016. 20(2):E34-40. doi:10.1188/16.CJON.E34-E40Iowa Health Care.Preventing arm swelling after breast cancer surgery and radiation.Farvid MS, Holmes MD, Chen WY, et al.Postdiagnostic Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Breast Cancer Survival: Prospective Analyses in the Nurses' Health Studies.Cancer Res. 2020;80(22):5134-5143. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3515Saito Y, Kanno R, Takekuma Y, Takeshita T, Oshino T, Sugawara M.High dose of dexamethasone attenuates docetaxel-induced fluid retention in breast cancer treatment.Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):9247. Published 2023 Jun 7. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-36264-4Additional ReadingNational Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.Steward ST, Gao F& Taylor MA.Impact of radiation therapy on survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Oncol Lett. 2014 Feb; 7(2): 548–552. doi:10.3892/ol.2013.1700.Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.Treatment Options.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.American Cancer Society.The truth about alternative medical treatments.Admoun C, Mayrovitz H.Choosing Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy-With-Radiation: Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18433. Published 2021 Oct 2. doi:10.7759/cureus.18433National Cancer Institute.Surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version.Robison J, Smith C.Therapeutic massage during chemotherapy and/or biotherapy infusions: patient perceptions of pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and satisfaction.Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2016. 20(2):E34-40. doi:10.1188/16.CJON.E34-E40Iowa Health Care.Preventing arm swelling after breast cancer surgery and radiation.Farvid MS, Holmes MD, Chen WY, et al.Postdiagnostic Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Breast Cancer Survival: Prospective Analyses in the Nurses' Health Studies.Cancer Res. 2020;80(22):5134-5143. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3515Saito Y, Kanno R, Takekuma Y, Takeshita T, Oshino T, Sugawara M.High dose of dexamethasone attenuates docetaxel-induced fluid retention in breast cancer treatment.Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):9247. Published 2023 Jun 7. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-36264-4
American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.The truth about alternative medical treatments.
Admoun C, Mayrovitz H.Choosing Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy-With-Radiation: Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18433. Published 2021 Oct 2. doi:10.7759/cureus.18433
National Cancer Institute.Surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version.
Robison J, Smith C.Therapeutic massage during chemotherapy and/or biotherapy infusions: patient perceptions of pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and satisfaction.Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2016. 20(2):E34-40. doi:10.1188/16.CJON.E34-E40
Iowa Health Care.Preventing arm swelling after breast cancer surgery and radiation.
Farvid MS, Holmes MD, Chen WY, et al.Postdiagnostic Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Breast Cancer Survival: Prospective Analyses in the Nurses' Health Studies.Cancer Res. 2020;80(22):5134-5143. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3515
Saito Y, Kanno R, Takekuma Y, Takeshita T, Oshino T, Sugawara M.High dose of dexamethasone attenuates docetaxel-induced fluid retention in breast cancer treatment.Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):9247. Published 2023 Jun 7. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-36264-4
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.Steward ST, Gao F& Taylor MA.Impact of radiation therapy on survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Oncol Lett. 2014 Feb; 7(2): 548–552. doi:10.3892/ol.2013.1700.Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.Treatment Options.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.
Steward ST, Gao F& Taylor MA.Impact of radiation therapy on survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Oncol Lett. 2014 Feb; 7(2): 548–552. doi:10.3892/ol.2013.1700.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.Treatment Options.
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