Breast Cancer Treatment involves such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The treatment plan depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. Early detection through screening and timely treatment greatly improves recovery and survival rates. With the help of experienced oncologists and modern technology, breast cancer can often be managed effectively, offering patients a better quality of life and long-term wellness.
What Are
Twisted, swollen and tortuous veins are often blue or purple. They appear just below the surface of the skin on your legs, ankles and feet.
This is often the most common early sign. It may feel hard, immovable, and different from the rest of the breast tissue. Not all lumps are cancerous, but any new mass should be evaluated by a doctor.
Look for dimpling (resembling orange peel), redness, thickening, or scaliness of the skin. These can indicate underlying cancer or inflammatory breast cancer, which requires immediate attention.
The nipple may become inverted (pulled inward), change position or shape, or develop crusting or scaling. Unexplained discharge, particularly bloody or clear fluid (not breast milk), should always be assessed.
While many breast cancers are painless, some can cause constant aching, burning, or tenderness in the breast or nipple area that doesn’t go away with the menstrual cycle.
Swollen lymph nodes near the armpit or collarbone can be an early sign that cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue.
ne breast may appear larger, misshapen, or noticeably different from the other. This may occur without any visible lump and can include swelling, shrinkage, or contour changes.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms—especially if you’re at higher risk—don’t ignore them. Early detection saves lives.
With care, clarity, and compassion
At Dr. Mihir Shah’s Hospital, we know that discovering a lump or noticing a change in your breast can be overwhelming. That’s why we take a calm, thorough approach — starting with a conversation and using the most reliable tools to find clear answers.
It Starts with a Gentle Exam
Dr. Shah listens closely to your concerns, then performs a clinical breast exam to check for lumps, skin changes, or anything unusual.
Next, We Look Deeper
Depending on what’s found, we may recommend:
Mammogram – A low-dose X-ray to spot small tumors
Ultrasound – To tell if a lump is solid or fluid-filled
MRI – For clearer detail, especially in higher-risk cases
Biopsy: The Only Way to Be Sure
If imaging shows something suspicious, we take a small sample of tissue. This tells us if it’s cancer — and what kind.
Understanding the Cancer’s Profile
If cancer is found, we test for hormone and HER2 status. This helps us choose treatments that will work best for your specific cancer.
Genetic Testing (If Needed)
If there’s a strong family history, we may test for gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2 to guide care and inform your family.
At Dr. Mihir R Shah’s Hospital, staging plays a vital role in understanding how far breast cancer has spread and in determining the most effective treatment options. Breast cancer staging helps assess the severity of the disease and provides insight into likely outcomes (prognosis). It also helps in treatment planning, such as whether surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy is appropriate.
Very early / non-invasive cancer
At this point, the abnormal cells are only in the milk ducts and haven’t spread into the surrounding breast tissue. It’s called DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ).
Think of it as a gentle knock at the door — a chance to act early, with a high chance of full recovery. Often, surgery and sometimes radiation can be enough.
Cancer is small and only in the breast
The tumor is small — and may or may not have reached a tiny number of nearby lymph nodes. But the key thing is: we’ve caught it early.
At this stage, treatments often work very well. Many people go on to live long, healthy lives. We focus on removing the cancer and reducing the chance of it coming back.
Cancer is larger or has spread to a few nearby lymph nodes
The tumor may be a bit larger now, or it might have spread to a few lymph nodes — the small filters under your arm that help your body fight illness.
This stage is still very treatable. We may use a combination of surgery, medication, and sometimes radiation to give you the best outcome. It’s a bigger step, but one we know how to walk with you.
Cancer has spread more extensively in the breast area or lymph nodes
Here, the cancer may have spread to more lymph nodes or to the chest wall or skin. It’s called locally advanced breast cancer.
It can sound scary — but it’s still manageable. We often use stronger treatments, like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination. The goal is clear: shrink it, control it, and move forward — together.
Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (like the bones, liver, lungs, or brain)
This is called metastatic breast cancer. It means the cancer has traveled to other places, like the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
While we may not be able to cure it, we can treat it — often for years. There are many options to slow it down, ease symptoms, and help you live more fully. Our focus shifts from removal to management, always with quality of life at the heart of the plan.
No matter the stage, you deserve to understand what it means — and what can be done. Our team is here to walk with you through every decision, every treatment, and every step forward.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cancer. Your treatment will depend on your cancer type, stage, age, and overall health. Dr. Mihir Shah works closely with each patient to choose the safest and most effective option.
For early-stage breast cancer, surgery can often remove the tumor completely. The type of surgery depends on the tumor size, location, and patient preference.
Radiation uses high-energy rays to target and kill remaining cancer cells after surgery or to treat advanced disease.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. It may be given before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant), depending on the cancer stage and type.
Hormonal therapy blocks or lowers estrogen or progesterone to stop hormone receptor-positive breast cancer from growing. It’s only used if the cancer is ER and/or PR positive.
Some breast cancers have specific proteins (like HER2) that can be targeted with special drugs.
For certain types of breast cancer, especially triple-negative tumors with specific markers, immunotherapy can help your body fight the cancer.
For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, palliative care focuses on improving quality of life.
Manages pain, fatigue, nausea, and emotional distress.
Can be provided alongside active treatment or when curative treatment is no longer an option.
Supportive care is essential at every stage of breast cancer.
If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms or has risk factors, don’t wait. Early action can make all the difference. Dr. Mihir Shah offers expert evaluation and personalized care for every patient. Book an appointment today to get the answers and care you deserve.
Dr. Mihir R. Shah addresses the most common questions to help you understand the procedure, recovery, and what to expect—so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.
Surgery is needed for serious artery blockages, valve issues, or aneurysms. It’s not recommended if you have other serious health problems, are very old, or if you don’t want the surgery.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that includes exercise training, education on heart-healthy living, and counseling. Most patients benefit from rehab to recover faster and reduce the risk of future heart problems.
Yes, it is possible to live a normal life after heart surgery. With proper care, lifestyle changes, and follow-up treatment, many people return to their daily activities and enjoy a good quality of life.
Yes, age alone is not a barrier. Many elderly patients benefit greatly from cardiovascular surgery. The decision depends more on overall health, heart condition, and surgical risk.
After surgery, patients are advised to follow a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, quit smoking, manage stress, and take medications as prescribed.
