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If new problems develop, you may have additional tests, such as blood tests, bone scans, chest X-rays, CT scans, or MRI tests.

If your Breast Cancer cells test positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR+), any remaining cancer cells may grow because of estrogen in your body. Medicine such as an aromatase inhibitor (such as Arimidex, Aromasin, or Femara), or tamoxifen (Nolvadex) may be a good treatment option. These hormone therapies block estrogen's effect on the cancer cells.

Studies show that an aromatase inhibitor works even better than tamoxifen in postmenopausal women who are also estrogen receptor-positive (ER+).^{21, 22, 23, 24} For women who have taken tamoxifen for a few years, switching to an aromatase inhibitor improves their chances of successful treatment.²⁵ Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of these medicines if your Breast Cancer is ER/PR+.

Treatment if the condition gets worse

For information about the treatment of metastatic or recurrent breast cancer, see the topic Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent.

What to Think About

Even if your doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the operation, you may need additional treatment. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of the three therapies may be used after surgery to try to destroy any cancer cells that may be left in your body. This is called adjuvant therapy and is used to reduce the chances that your Breast Cancer will come back. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each type of treatment. Your personal preferences and considerations are important when choosing a treatment that is right for you.

 Should I use chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer?

You may also make decisions about using chemotherapy or hormone therapy to shrink your Breast Cancer before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy). Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each type of treatment.

The likelihood that your breast cancer will return after treatment depends on a number of factors, including the size and grade of your breast cancer, whether you had breast cancer cells in your lymph nodes, and how many lymph nodes were involved with Breast Cancer.