NCCN Guidelines for Patients® Invasive Breast Cancer 2025

Table of Contents

• About Invasive Breast Cancer
  • What is invasive breast cancer?
  • What are the parts of the breast?
  • What's in this book?
  • What can you do to get the best care?
• Testing for Breast Cancer
  • General health tests
  • Fertility (all genders)
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests
  • Biopsy
  • HER2 status
  • Hormone receptor status
  • Biomarker testing
  • Genetic cancer risk testing
  • Key points
  • Questions to ask
• Breast Cancer Staging
  • How is breast cancer staged?
  • TNM scores
  • Numbered stages
  • Key points
  • Questions to ask
• Types of Treatment
  • Treatment overview
  • Surgery
    • Lumpectomy
    • Mastectomy
    • Lymph node surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Systemic therapy
    • Chemotherapy
    • Antibody drug conjugates
    • HER2-targeted therapy
    • Other targeted therapies
    • Immunotherapy
    • Endocrine therapy
    • Bone-strengthening therapy
  • Clinical trials
  • Key points
  • Questions to ask
• Supportive Care
  • What is supportive care?
  • Side effects
  • Late effects
  • Survivorship
  • Key points
  • Questions to ask
• Your Treatment Options
  • Surgery first
  • Systemic therapy before surgery
  • Systemic therapy after surgery
  • HR+ with HER2+
  • HR- with HER2+
  • HR+ with HER2-
  • Triple-negative breast cancer
  • Endocrine therapy
  • Follow-up care
  • Key points
  • Questions to ask
• The Breast After Surgery
  • Volume displacement
  • Flat closure
  • Breast reconstruction
  • What to consider
  • Key points
  • Questions to ask
• Recurrence
  • Overview
  • Tests
  • Treatment
  • Key points
  • Questions to ask
• Other Resources
  • What else to know
  • What else to do
  • Where to get help
  • Questions to ask about resources and support
• Words to Know
• NCCN Contributors
• NCCN Cancer Centers
• Index

Introduction

This document is a comprehensive guide for patients with invasive breast cancer, developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®). It provides information on testing, staging, treatment options, supportive care, and other resources to help patients understand their condition and make informed decisions about their care.

Key Points

• Testing: The guide explains various tests used to diagnose and stage breast cancer, including medical history, physical exams, imaging tests, biopsies, and genetic testing.
• Staging: It describes the TNM staging system and the numbered staging system used to classify the extent of cancer.
• Treatment Options: The guide outlines different treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy), and clinical trials.
• Supportive Care: It discusses the importance of supportive care to manage side effects and improve quality of life during and after treatment.
• Your Treatment Options: The guide provides specific treatment options based on hormone receptor (HR) and HER2 status, including surgery, systemic therapy, and endocrine therapy.
• The Breast After Surgery: It explains options for volume displacement, flat closure, and breast reconstruction after surgery.
• Recurrence: The guide discusses tests and treatment options for cancer recurrence.
• Other Resources: It provides information on additional resources and support available to patients.

Conclusion

The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® Invasive Breast Cancer 2025 is a valuable resource for patients with invasive breast cancer. It provides comprehensive information to help patients understand their condition, make informed decisions about their care, and find support.