Breast cancer treatment

Nurse practitioners must be aware of the standard treatments for breast can cer whether they are referring a symptomatic patient to a breast cancer spe cialist, are involved in the actual treatment process, or are providing ong oing care for patients after completion of therapy. This article reviews th e major treatments for breast cancer including surgery, radiation, and chem otherapy, with greater emphasis on treatment of early-stage disease. Copyri ght (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.