Chemotherapy for breast cancer

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Results

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living With Cancer

Subscribe to our Living With Cancer e-newsletter to stay up to date on cancer topics.

Sign up now

After you complete your chemotherapy treatment, your doctor will schedule follow-up visits — usually every four to six months at first and then less frequently the longer you remain cancer-free. This will be done to monitor you for long-term side effects and to check for recurrence of the breast cancer. Tests and procedures during follow-up care include:

  • A careful review of your medical history, especially any signs or symptoms you experience after chemotherapy
  • Physical exam, including breast exam
  • Yearly mammogram
  • Bone density testing

Tests such as tumor marker tests, liver function tests, bone scans and chest X-rays generally aren't recommended unless there is a specific need. Additional imaging tests are typically needed only when a recurrence is suspected.

What you can expect
References
  1. Breast cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/index. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  2. Breast cancer treatment (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/HealthProfessional. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  3. Hayes DF. Clinical decisions in systemic adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  4. Burstein H. Adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage HER2-negative breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  5. Hayes DF. Systemic chemotherapy for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  6. Making treatment decisions: Guide to chemotherapy. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.com/chemotherapy.aspx. Accessed July 12, 2010.
  7. Chemotherapy principles: An in-depth discussion of the techniques and its role in treatment. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/002995-pdf.pdf. Accessed July 12, 2010.
  8. About survivorship. American Society of Clinical Oncologists. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Survivorship/About+Survivorship. Accessed July 12, 2010.
  9. Questions and answers about chemotherapy. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you/page2. Accessed July 12, 2010.
  10. Chemotherapy — Your personal experience. American Society of Clinical Oncologists. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Chemotherapy%26mdash%3BYour+Personal+Experience. Accessed July 12, 2010.
  11. What happens after treatment for breast cancer? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-after-follow-up. Accessed July 12, 2010.
MY01368 Oct. 23, 2010

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger