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Stage IIIB and Inoperable IIIC

Treatment OptionsSTAGE IIIB and Inoperable IIIC

tumor of any size with spread to tissues near the breast (skin of the breast or muscles or ribs of the chest wall), and possibly to lymph nodes in the area (IIIB) OR
tumor of any size with spread to lymph nodes in or near the breast and to lymph nodes in or near the neck and above the collarbone (inoperable IIIC)

Treatment to the Breast

modified radical mastectomy that may require removal of other nearby tissues involved with the tumor (IIIB); no surgery for inoperable IIIC

AND

radiation before or after mastectomy

Treatment to the Lymph Nodes

axillary lymph node removal by traditional approach

AND

possible radiation to supraclavicular and/or internal mammary lymph nodes

Chemotherapy

chemotherapy almost always recommended

Hormonal Therapy

hormonal therapy used for people with hormone-receptor-positive cancer

Targeted Therapy

targeted therapy may be used for people with cancers that have certain characteristics (for example, cancers with too many HER2 protein receptors)

Treatment to Other Parts of the Body

does not apply

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