The objective of the entire research program carried out by the IBCSG is to provide therapy which is as specific as possible for women with breast cancer. This means that the individual characteristics of each woman need to be examined accurately so that the treatment can be aimed directly at these characteristics.
The following aspects are considered:
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Age and hormone status; is the woman already in the menopause or not?
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Size and spread of the tumor: are the lymph nodes affected?
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Characteristics of the tumor cells: is the tumor responsive to hormones?
Treatment is tailored to these factors, and the success of various therapies is investigated. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, hormone therapy or chemotherapy. Various combinations and sequences are studied. Where drugs are used, various dosages are also tested.
To see the IBCSG ongoing trials, please click here.