In breast cancer treatment, after surgical excision, what is typically administered next if necessary?

In the context of breast cancer treatment following surgical excision, chemotherapy is often administered next if necessary, particularly to eliminate any remaining cancer cells that may not have been removed during surgery or that might not be detectable at that time. The primary goal of chemotherapy is to reduce the risk of recurrence, especially in cases where there is a significant chance of metastasis or when the cancer is classified as high-risk.

Chemotherapy can be particularly beneficial in situations involving larger tumors, lymph node involvement, or aggressive tumor types. It is usually considered when there is evidence suggesting that further intervention is needed to manage the disease effectively and improve long-term outcomes for the patient.

While other therapies such as radiation therapy and hormonal therapy may also play critical roles in a breast cancer treatment regimen, they are typically based on specific characteristics of the cancer and the individual patient's situation. Radiation therapy is often used after surgery to target the area where the tumor was and reduce the risk of local recurrence, while hormonal therapy is employed in cases of hormone receptor-positive tumors to further decrease the chance of cancer returning. Observation might be an option in certain low-risk scenarios, but it would not usually follow immediately after surgery when there are indications for more aggressive treatment.