Patients diagnosed with stage I invasive breast cancer have a single location of cancer less than 2 cm (3/4 inch) in size that has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes or sites distant from the breast. Although the majority of women with stage I breast cancer are cured following treatment with surgery and radiation, some patients may benefit from additional treatment with chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy. Treatment after surgery is called adjuvant therapy and it may further decrease the risk of cancer recurrence.

The following is a general overview of treatment for stage I breast cancer. Treatment may consist of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, biological therapy, or a combination of these treatment techniques. Multi-modality treatment, which utilizes two or more treatment techniques, is increasingly recognized as an important approach for improving a patient's chance of cure or prolonging survival. In some cases, participation in a clinical trial utilizing new, innovative therapies may provide the most promising treatment. Circumstances unique to each patient's situation may influence how these general treatment principles are applied. The potential benefits of multi-modality care, participation in a clinical trial, or standard treatment must be carefully balanced with the potential risks. The information on this website is intended to help educate patients about their treatment options and to facilitate a mutual or shared decision-making process with their treating cancer physician.

Primary Treatment of Stage I Breast Cancer: Surgery and Radiation

• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy

Adjuvant Therapy

What are the potential benefits of the different types of adjuvant therapy?

• Adjuvant chemotherapy
• Adjuvant hormonal therapy
• Adjuvant chemotherapy plus hormonal therapy

Which patients are most likely to benefit from adjuvant therapy?

• New genomic test for predicting prognosis and response to chemotherapy
• Larger cancers associated with a worse prognosis
• ER-positive cancers benefit from hormonal therapy
• Younger women have a poorer prognosis and benefit from adjuvant therapy
• Deciding whether adjuvant therapy is right for you

Strategies to Improve Treatment

• Genomic Testing (Oncotype DX™)
• Targeted Therapy
• New Chemotherapy Regimens
• Neoadjuvant Therapy
• New Hormonal Therapy Drugs
• New Approaches to Radiation Therapy
• Radiofrequency Ablation