Which treatment option is often used for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers?

Which treatment option is often used for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers?

• A. Radiation therapy
• B. Hormonal therapy
• C. Surgical resection
• D. Chemotherapy

Answer: (B)

Hormonal therapy is the preferred treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers because these types of tumors grow in response to estrogen. Hormonal therapies, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, work by blocking the effects of estrogen on the cancer cells or reducing the production of estrogen in the body. This approach is highly effective in decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence and improving overall survival rates for patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. In contrast, while radiation therapy, surgical resection, and chemotherapy can be part of the treatment plan for breast cancer, they are often used in different contexts or for different types of breast cancer. Radiation therapy is typically used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells, surgical resection is aimed at removing the tumor, and chemotherapy is generally more effective for aggressive or triple-negative breast cancers rather than solely estrogen receptor-positive tumors. Thus, hormonal therapy is specifically aligned with targeting the mechanisms that drive the growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.

Hormonal therapy is the preferred treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers because these types of tumors grow in response to estrogen. Hormonal therapies, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, work by blocking the effects of estrogen on the cancer cells or reducing the production of estrogen in the body. This approach is highly effective in decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence and improving overall survival rates for patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

In contrast, while radiation therapy, surgical resection, and chemotherapy can be part of the treatment plan for breast cancer, they are often used in different contexts or for different types of breast cancer. Radiation therapy is typically used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells, surgical resection is aimed at removing the tumor, and chemotherapy is generally more effective for aggressive or triple-negative breast cancers rather than solely estrogen receptor-positive tumors. Thus, hormonal therapy is specifically aligned with targeting the mechanisms that drive the growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.