When Will I Have IV Chemotherapy?

Transcript

A lot of patients nowadays will get treatment upfront with IV chemotherapy and anti HER2 treatment. And so if that’s the case, your medical oncologist will determine exactly what treatment regimen they’re going to use.

But in general, you’ll do a certain amount of time prior to surgery, you’ll have your surgery, and then you’ll continue on treatment for usually up to a year total of IV treatment, which is a long time. That treatment is long, however, it is very effective for this type of breast cancer.

For patients with small tumors and / or candidates for upfront surgery, you’ll do the same. It’s just your treatment will be after your surgery, and again, generally to complete one year.

Key Takeaways

1. Many patients will get first treatment with IV chemotherapy and anti HER2 treatment.

2. In general, you’ll do a certain amount before surgery, you’ll have your surgery, and then you’ll continue on treatment for usually up to a year total of IV treatment.

3. That treatment is long but very effective for this type of breast cancer.

4. Patients with small tumors and are candidates for upfront surgery will do the same, just after surgery.