{"id":417,"date":"2018-10-23T18:55:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T18:55:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:jwcistage.wpengine.com\/breast\/treatment-2\/medical-oncology\/"},"modified":"2025-04-09T19:26:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T19:26:09","slug":"medical-treatments","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical Treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":401,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-417","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"layers":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":"<p style=\"font-size: 30px; line-height: 34px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; color: #042f72; font-weight: 600; padding-top:40px\">The Margie Petersen Breast Center provides a variety of services from routine examination to oncologic treatment, starting with our breast clinic. Our multi-disciplinary team, including medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and genomics experts work together to devise the most effective treatment plan for each patient.<\/p>\n<h2>Systemic Therapies<\/h2>\n<p>Systemic therapies are treatments that are absorbed into the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. These therapies include chemotherapy, biologic therapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Medical oncologists are the specialist physicians who advise and guide these treatments. Some patients need systemic therapy after surgery to help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurring or spreading. This is called \u201cadjuvant\u201d treatment and is given to destroy any remaining cancer cells that might still be present after surgery. Sometimes systemic therapy is given before surgery to help shrink the cancer and make it easier to remove surgically. This is called \u201cneoadjuvant therapy.\u201d Systemic therapies are also used when patients have cancer that has returned or has spread to another part of the body.<\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_1038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1038\" style=\"width: 390px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Breast-Cancer-Consulation-Systemic-therapies.jpg\" alt=\"Breast Cancer Consulation - Systemic therapies\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Breast-Cancer-Consulation-Systemic-therapies.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Breast-Cancer-Consulation-Systemic-therapies-300x237.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Breast-Cancer-Consulation-Systemic-therapies-768x606.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Breast-Cancer-Consulation-Systemic-therapies-100x79.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Your breast cancer type and stage, as well as other factors, will determine if systemic treatment is appropriate.<\/figcaption><\/figure><strong>Whether you need adjuvant or neoadjuvant systemic therapy, and which type will depend on several factors including:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The type and stage of breast cancer<\/li>\n<li>The size of the cancer<\/li>\n<li>Whether the cancer cells have hormone receptors or overproduce certain proteins such as HER2-neu<\/li>\n<li>The presence or absence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes<\/li>\n<li>Histologic grade<\/li>\n<li>Results of special testing on the cancer cells such as OncotypeDx<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Prior to receiving systemic therapies, our patients meet with a medical oncologist as part of our multidisciplinary treatment team. Once the treatment is determined, our patients also meet with an oncology nurse specialized in administering and caring for patients receiving systemic therapies to provide education about self-care during treatment.<\/p>\n<h2>Types of Systemic Therapies<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: -12px;\">Chemotherapy<\/h3>\n<p>Chemotherapy medications circulate throughout the body and kill cancer cells by interfering with their ability to reproduce. Typically, chemotherapy is given for approximately 3 to 6 months. The treatments are given by vein (IV) as an outpatient. Some treatments include daily pills as well as the IV treatments. Most treatments are given once every 2 or 3 weeks. Some treatments are given weekly. Many patients can function normally between treatments, including being able to go to work and care for their families.<\/p>\n<p>Side effects of chemotherapy vary depending on the drug, the dose, the combination, and the schedule in which they are given. In general, these drugs can cause varying degrees of nausea, vomiting, low blood counts, tingling of the fingers and toes \u2013 known as neuropathy \u2013 and the weakening of heart muscle.<\/p>\n<p>If chemotherapy treatments are recommended, other medications may also be prescribed to support the body as it responds to the chemotherapy and cancer cells are killed. Many kinds of drugs can be given to prevent or help minimize specific side effects. For example, if a chemotherapy drug is known to cause nausea and vomiting, anti-nausea drugs may be given. Patients may receive agents called colony-stimulating factors to increase the production of certain blood cells; and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) which can stimulate the body to produce infection-fighting white blood cells.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: -12px;\">Biologic Therapy Treatment<\/h3>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_1039\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1039\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Biologic-therapies.jpg\" alt=\"Biologic therapies\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Biologic-therapies.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Biologic-therapies-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/Biologic-therapies-100x71.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1039\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Targeted treatments can focus on specific proteins, suppressing the growth of breast cancer cells.<\/figcaption><\/figure>Biologic therapies target specific proteins or molecular pathways that breast cancer cells use to grow. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a monoclonal antibody that halts the growth of breast cancer cells by binding to the HER2-neu protein on cancer cells.<\/p>\n<p>If the breast cancer is \u201cHER2 positive,\u201d this medication or other anti-HER2 medications may be offered to help prevent cancer recurrence. Trastuzumab is given intravenously. It works best when combined with standard chemotherapy for several months followed by a \u201cmaintenance\u201d treatment of IV trastuzumab given every 3 weeks and continuing for one year of total therapy.<\/p>\n<p>Patients who receive anti-HER2 therapy will often be monitored with an echocardiogram before starting the medication and periodically during the treatment period as there is a small risk that anti-HER2 therapy may damage the heart muscle. This is rare, and usually reversible.<\/p>\n<p>Newer biologic agents that target HER2 include pertuzumab (Perjeta), lapatinib (Tykerb), and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1 or Kadcyla).<\/p>\n<h2>Immunotherapy<\/h2>\n<p>Drugs that stimulate a person\u2019s own immune system to recognize and destroy breast cancer cells are known as immunotherapy. Also known as \u201ccheckpoint inhibitors,\u201d these drugs interfere with protein signals that cancer cells use to grow and multiply. PDL-1 inhibitors are one category. Immunotherapy is usually given intravenously.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: -12px;\">Endocrine Therapy Treatment<\/h3>\n<p>Anti-hormone therapy or endocrine therapy is often used to treat breast cancer. Breast cancer cells that have estrogen and progesterone receptors on the surface of the cells are known as estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive cancers.<\/p>\n<p>Similar to chemotherapy, this form of therapy can be used to decrease the chance of cancer returning, to prevent a new breast cancer, as well as to treat cancer if it has spread. Endocrine therapy is absorbed and circulates throughout the entire body to destroy cancer cells that may be hidden, thereby preventing future cancer.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-left:3%\">\n<strong>There are two common types of medication used for this purpose:<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"font-size:24px!important;\">Tamoxifen<\/h4>\n<p>This medication was first approved by the FDA in 1977 for use in breast cancer patients. It stops estrogen from getting into cancer cells by blocking the estrogen receptor. It is useful for patients both before and after menopause. It is currently approved for use in women who are at risk for breast cancer, for those who have had ductal carcinoma in situ removed, for those who have had invasive breast cancer removed and for women who are being treated for metastatic breast cancer.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"font-size:24px!important;\">Aromatase inhibitors<\/h4>\n<p>There are three compounds used in the United States. They are anastrazole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasin). They were first approved by the FDA in 2000. They stop production of estrogen in fat tissue and adrenal glands but do not stop production of estrogen in the ovaries. They are used for women in menopause. They are NOT useful for patients who are pre-menopausal.<\/p>\n<p>The two types of anti-estrogen medication have different side effects.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The medical oncologist will recommend which medication to use and the duration of treatment. There are ongoing research studies that are trying to determine the optimum length of time to take these medications.<\/p>\n<p>Some premenopausal patients are candidates for ovary removal or chemical suppression of ovarian function.<\/p>\n<h2>New Developments in Breast Cancer Treatments<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: -12px;\">Targeted Therapy<\/h3>\n<p>Advancements continue to progress in targeted therapy, introducing new drugs that specifically target cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. One such drug is datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), which targets the TROP2 protein found on cancer cells. This drug is currently in clinical trials for various types of breast cancer, including estrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancer<\/p>\n<p>Another promising development is lasofoxifene, a hormone therapy targeting ESR1 mutations in breast cancer. This therapy is designed to stop the estrogen receptor even when it\u2019s mutated, offering hope for patients whose cancer progresses despite initial treatment.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: -12px;\">Advanced Imaging Techniques<\/h3>\n<p>Technological advances in imaging, such as 3-D mammography, are improving early detection of breast cancer. This method takes images from different angles around the breast and builds them into a 3-D-like image, potentially detecting cancer at a less advanced stage.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 26px; line-height: 30px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: -12px;\">FDA Approvals<\/h3>\n<p>The FDA has recently approved new treatments for advanced breast cancer, providing more options for patients. These approvals include drugs that target specific cancer cell proteins and pathways, offering more personalized and effective treatment options.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width:100%; height:30px\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:24px; line-height:28px; font-weight:600; color:#042f72\">We welcome your questions. Let us guide you through this process, whether a routine annual screening or more prolongued medical care.\u00a0We are ready to support you.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width:100%; height:40px\">\n","layer_is_content_auto_columns":false,"sidebar_position":"right","widgets":false,"layer_icon":"","layer_icon_position":"left","layer_background_color":"","layer_id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_people","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"Doctors who provide medial treatments","layer_intro":"","people":{"4306":{"id":4306,"title":"Parvin F. Peddi, MD"},"851":{"id":851,"title":"Sean Fischer, M.D."}},"layer_people_more_link":"","layer_background_color":"bg-gray-l","layer_id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":"<h3 style-\"margin-top:60px\">Contact the Margie Petersen Breast Center<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_769\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-769\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Margie Petersen Breast Team\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" class=\"size-full wp-image-769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-1024x546.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-768x410.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-1536x819.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-2048x1092.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2019\/12\/Margie-Petersen-Breast-Team-1-100x53.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-769\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Margie Petersen Breast Center Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 28px; letter-spacing: -0.5px; color: #042f72; font-weight: 600;\">The Margie Petersen Breast Center at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center is widely renowned for its outstanding and compassionate patient care, expert surgical and medical team, and ability to evaluate any breast condition in one day fully.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn--primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/meet-our-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Meet Our Breast Health Experts<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Breast Health Clinic can be reached at <strong><a href=\"tel:310-582-7209\">(310) 582-7209<\/a><\/strong>. If you have questions regarding a new symptom or want to make an appointment for evaluation please call and a staff member will assist with navigating you in the right direction.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn--primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/schedule-an-appointment\/\">Schedule an Appointment For more information<\/a><\/p>\n","layer_is_content_auto_columns":false,"sidebar_position":"right","widgets":false,"layer_icon":"","layer_icon_position":"left","layer_background_color":"bg-gray-l","layer_id":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_featured_blog_items","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"More from Our Blog","layer_intro":"","layer_featuredblog_col_width":"quarters","layer_featuredblog_pullbycat":"blog","layer_featuredblog_selectblogcat":["breast","research"],"layer_featuredblog_selectblogauth":[],"layer_featuredblog_more_link":"","layer_background_color":"bg-gray-l","layer_id":""}],"int_alt_page_title":"Medical Treatments for Breast Cancer","int_page_description":"","int_masthead_image":false,"int_page_icon":"","int_secondary_cta_override":false,"int_secondary_cta_is_hidden":false,"header_scripts":"{\r\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/www.schema.org\",\r\n    \"@type\": [\r\n       \"MedicalWebPage\"\r\n    ],\r\n    \"audience\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\/Patient\",\r\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/\",\r\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/#medicalwebpage\",\r\n    \"mainEntityofPage\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/\",\r\n    \"headline\": \"Medical Treatments for Breast Cancer\",\r\n    \"name\": \"Medical Treatments for Breast Cancer | Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute\",\r\n    \"description\": \"Explore the variety of medical treatments available for breast cancer, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, provided by expert oncologists at Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute.\",\r\n    \"mainContentOfPage\": {\r\n       \"text\": \"Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute offers a range of medical treatments for breast cancer, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Treatment plans are personalized based on the type and stage of breast cancer, with an emphasis on innovative care and clinical trials.\"\r\n    },\r\n    \"keywords\": [\r\n       \"breast cancer treatment\",\r\n       \"chemotherapy\",\r\n       \"hormone therapy\",\r\n       \"targeted therapy\",\r\n       \"immunotherapy\",\r\n       \"oncology\",\r\n       \"breast cancer stage\",\r\n       \"breast cancer clinical trials\",\r\n       \"medical treatments for breast cancer\"\r\n    ],\r\n    \"significantLink\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/contact-us\/\",\r\n    \"significantLinks\": [\r\n       \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-health\/\",\r\n       \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/\",\r\n       \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/meet-our-team\/\",\r\n       \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/schedule-an-appointment\/\"\r\n    ],\r\n    \"isPartOf\": {\r\n       \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\r\n       \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/#website\",\r\n       \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/\",\r\n       \"name\": \"Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute\",\r\n       \"keywords\": [\r\n          \"saint john's cancer institute\",\r\n          \"breast cancer treatment\",\r\n          \"breast cancer care\",\r\n          \"oncology care in Santa Monica\",\r\n          \"breast cancer surgery\",\r\n          \"saint john's health center\"\r\n       ],\r\n       \"publisher\": {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n          \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/#organization\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute\",\r\n          \"alternateName\": [\r\n             \"Saint John's Health Center\",\r\n             \"John Wayne Cancer Institute\",\r\n             \"SJCI\"\r\n          ],\r\n          \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/\",\r\n          \"identifier\": \"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=saint+johns+cancer+institute&kgmid=\/g\/11l36_800m\",\r\n          \"description\": \"Saint John's Cancer Institute is dedicated to cancer treatment, research, and education, offering world-class services to patients in Santa Monica, CA.\",\r\n          \"disambiguatingDescription\": \"Providing innovative cancer treatment and research, Saint John's Cancer Institute focuses on both the patient experience and cutting-edge cancer therapies.\",\r\n          \"sameAs\": [\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SaintJohnsCancerInstitute\/\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/x.com\/ProvCalifornia\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ProvidenceCalifornia\/\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/saint-johns-cancer-institute\/\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCq1-Y9E1jFnYuzE8GvtNWlg\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Saint_John%27s_Health_Center\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.superdoctors.com\/california-los-angeles\/hospital-clinic\/Saint-Johns-Cancer-Institute-at-Providence-Saint-Johns-Health-Center\/72e8f4a4-f74b-4767-bbba-025c654b42c3.html\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/organization\/saint-john-s-cancer-institute\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.swog.org\/clinical-trials\/institutions\/saint-johns-cancer-institute\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.absci.com\/st-johns-cancer-institute-partners-with-absci\/\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.yelp.com\/biz\/providence-saint-johns-cancer-institute-santa-monica\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/surgonc.org\/fellows\/breast-surgical-oncology-fellowship-2\/saint-johns-cancer-institute-santa-monica-ca\/\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.providence.org\/locations\/socal\/saint-johns-cancer-institute\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=saint+johns+cancer+institute&kgmid=\/g\/11l36_800m\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/36.9721344,-86.3371264\/saint+john's+cancer+institute\/@33.7984956,-123.7533176,4z\/data=!3m1!5s0x80c2bb49d61dc9cd:0x11f5ec5b19c589d3!4m9!4m8!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2bb362a1c6621:0x41d8d29f086a05e3!2m2!1d-118.4781801!2d34.0298359?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=About+https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/&tbm=ilp&ctx=atr&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzudnMr8qJAxW_gIkEHWgpO5EQv5AHegQIABAT\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Providence+Saint+John%E2%80%99s+Cancer+Institute\/@34.0299003,-152.2265625,4z\/data=!3m1!5s0x80c2bb49d61dc9cd:0x11f5ec5b19c589d3!4m10!1m2!2m1!1ssaint+john's+cancer+institute!3m6!1s0x80c2bb362a1c6621:0x41d8d29f086a05e3!8m2!3d34.0298359!4d-118.4781801!15sCh1zYWludCBqb2huJ3MgY2FuY2VyIGluc3RpdHV0ZZIBEnJlc2VhcmNoX2luc3RpdHV0ZeABAA!16s%2Fg%2F1td13jt0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTEwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\"\r\n          ],\r\n          \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=Saint+John%27s+Cancer+Institute&kgmid=\/g\/11l36_800m\",\r\n          \"logo\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/SJCI-Logo.png\",\r\n          \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/SJCI-Logo.png\",\r\n          \"telephone\": \"+1-310-582-7100\",\r\n          \"email\": \"info@saintjohnscancer.org\",\r\n          \"address\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\r\n             \"postalCode\": \"90404\",\r\n             \"addressCountry\": \"US\",\r\n             \"addressRegion\": \"CA\",\r\n             \"streetAddress\": \"2121 Santa Monica Blvd\",\r\n             \"addressLocality\": \"Santa Monica\"\r\n          },\r\n          \"aggregateRating\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"AggregateRating\",\r\n             \"ratingValue\": \"5.0\",\r\n             \"reviewCount\": \"4\"\r\n          },\r\n          \"review\": [\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"Review\",\r\n                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/testimonials\/\",\r\n                \"author\": {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n                   \"name\": \"Yvonne Kalman\",\r\n                   \"address\": {\r\n                      \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\r\n                      \"addressLocality\": \"Santa Monica\",\r\n                      \"addressRegion\": \"CA\"\r\n                   }\r\n                },\r\n                \"dateCreated\": \"2023-08-15\",\r\n                \"reviewRating\": {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Rating\",\r\n                   \"bestRating\": \"5\",\r\n                   \"ratingValue\": \"5\",\r\n                   \"worstRating\": \"1\"\r\n                },\r\n                \"reviewBody\": \"Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute is exceptional in its personalized care and cutting-edge treatments.\"\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"Review\",\r\n                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/testimonials\/\",\r\n                \"author\": {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n                   \"name\": \"Jann Turner\",\r\n                   \"address\": {\r\n                      \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\r\n                      \"addressLocality\": \"Santa Monica\",\r\n                      \"addressRegion\": \"CA\"\r\n                   }\r\n                },\r\n                \"dateCreated\": \"2020-10-01\",\r\n                \"reviewRating\": {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Rating\",\r\n                   \"bestRating\": \"5\",\r\n                   \"ratingValue\": \"5\",\r\n                   \"worstRating\": \"1\"\r\n                },\r\n                \"reviewBody\": \"I was terrified when I arrived at the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Within minutes the tranquil environment, warm assistants and the calm and communicative doctors allayed all my fears. I can't praise this place highly enough and thank you Dr. Fischer for staying by my side through my melanoma diagnosis and the treatment, recovery and ongoing monitoring.\"\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"Review\",\r\n                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/testimonials\/\",\r\n                \"author\": {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n                   \"name\": \"Alain\",\r\n                   \"address\": {\r\n                      \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\r\n                      \"addressLocality\": \"Santa Monica\",\r\n                      \"addressRegion\": \"CA\"\r\n                   }\r\n                },\r\n                \"dateCreated\": \"2024-10-01\",\r\n                \"reviewRating\": {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Rating\",\r\n                   \"bestRating\": \"5\",\r\n                   \"ratingValue\": \"5\",\r\n                   \"worstRating\": \"1\"\r\n                },\r\n                \"reviewBody\": \"Saved my Life.\"\r\n             }\r\n          ],\r\n          \"knowsLanguage\": \"en\",\r\n          \"award\": \"Best Cancer Treatment Facility in Santa Monica\",\r\n          \"knowsAbout\": [\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalCondition\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Brain Tumors\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brain_tumor\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/neurosciences\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Brain tumors are abnormal growths of cells in the brain or central nervous system, and they can be benign or malignant.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"Neoplasms of the Brain\",\r\n                   \"CNS Tumors\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalSpecialty\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Breast Oncology\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Breast_cancer\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Breast oncology focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast cancer using surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"Mammary Oncology\",\r\n                   \"Breast Cancer Treatment\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalCondition\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Endocrine Tumors\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Endocrine_tumor\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/endocrine\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Endocrine tumors affect hormone-producing glands like the thyroid and adrenal glands, with both benign and malignant forms.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"Endocrine Neoplasms\",\r\n                   \"Hormonal Tumors\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalCondition\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Tumors\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gastrointestinal_cancer\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/gastrointestinal\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"These tumors affect the digestive system, including organs such as the liver, stomach, pancreas, and intestines.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"GI Tumors\",\r\n                   \"Liver and Biliary Cancer\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalSpecialty\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Gynecologic Oncology\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gynecologic_oncology\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/gynecology\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Gynecologic oncology specializes in the treatment of cancers in female reproductive organs, including cervical, endometrial, and uterine cancers.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"GYN Oncology\",\r\n                   \"Female Reproductive Cancer Treatment\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalSpecialty\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Head and Neck Oncology\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Head_and_neck_cancer\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/head-and-neck\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Head and neck oncology deals with cancers in areas such as the throat, mouth, and larynx, using surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"ENT Oncology\",\r\n                   \"Otolaryngologic Oncology\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalCondition\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Melanoma\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Melanoma\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/melanoma\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that arises in pigment-producing cells, known for its ability to spread quickly if not treated early.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"Malignant Melanoma\",\r\n                   \"Skin Cancer\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalSpecialty\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Thoracic Oncology\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lung_cancer\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/thoracic\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Thoracic oncology focuses on cancers within the chest, especially lung cancer, and includes treatment options like surgery and chemotherapy.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"Chest Oncology\",\r\n                   \"Lung Cancer Treatment\"\r\n                ]\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalSpecialty\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Urology Oncology\",\r\n                \"sameAs\": [\r\n                   \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Urology\",\r\n                   \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/urology\/\"\r\n                ],\r\n                \"description\": \"Urology oncology treats cancers affecting the urinary tract and male reproductive organs, such as prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers.\",\r\n                \"alternateName\": [\r\n                   \"Urologic Cancer Treatment\",\r\n                   \"GU Oncology\"\r\n                ]\r\n             }\r\n          ],\r\n          \"legalName\": \"Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute\",\r\n          \"brand\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"Brand\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute\",\r\n             \"logo\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/SJCI-Logo.png\",\r\n             \"slogan\": \"Innovative Cancer Care and Research for Every Patient\",\r\n             \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/SJCI-Logo.png\"\r\n          },\r\n          \"foundingDate\": \"1991\",\r\n          \"founder\": [\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n                \"name\": \"Donald Morton\",\r\n                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/about-us\/\",\r\n                \"description\": \"In 1991, the John Wayne Cancer Institute launched a successful affiliation with Saint John\u2019s Health Center and opened in Santa Monica, California. Combined with the exceptional quality of Saint John\u2019s medical staff and hospital, a unique community-based cancer research and training institute was formed, outstanding in the areas of translational research and the treatment of solid tumors including surgical oncology, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Leading this remarkable charge was the late Donald L. Morton, M.D., a larger than life presence who was born in a rural, coal-mining town in West Virginia. His persistent, scientific questioning of the role of the immune system in fighting cancer led to many advances throughout his decorated career. The John Wayne Cancer Institute changed its name to Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute on January 1, 2021.\"\r\n             }\r\n          ],\r\n          \"department\": \"Cancer Care\",\r\n          \"parentOrganization\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Providence Health & Services\",\r\n             \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.providence.org\/\"\r\n          },\r\n          \"hasOfferCatalog\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"OfferCatalog\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Cancer Treatment Services\",\r\n             \"itemListElement\": [\r\n                {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Service\",\r\n                   \"name\": \"Breast Cancer Treatment\",\r\n                   \"description\": \"Offering advanced treatments for breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.\"\r\n                },\r\n                {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"Service\",\r\n                   \"name\": \"Gynecologic Cancer Treatment\",\r\n                   \"description\": \"Expert care for gynecologic cancers including ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers.\"\r\n                }\r\n             ]\r\n          },\r\n          \"location\": [\r\n             {\r\n                \"@type\": \"Place\",\r\n                \"geo\": {\r\n                   \"@type\": \"GeoCoordinates\",\r\n                   \"latitude\": \"34.0379\",\r\n                   \"longitude\": \"-118.4902\"\r\n                }\r\n             }\r\n          ]\r\n       }\r\n    },\r\n\r\n       \"mainEntity\": {\r\n          \"@type\": \"MedicalCondition\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Breast Cancer\",\r\n          \"sameAs\": [\r\n             \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Breast_cancer\",\r\n             \"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/\"\r\n          ],\r\n          \"associatedAnatomy\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"AnatomicalStructure\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Breast\",\r\n             \"description\": \"The breast is composed of glandular tissue and fat, susceptible to cancers like ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma.\"\r\n          },\r\n          \"differentialDiagnosis\": [\r\n             {\r\n                \"name\": \"Fibrocystic Breast Disease\",\r\n                \"description\": \"A common condition causing non-cancerous breast lumps and discomfort.\"\r\n             },\r\n             {\r\n                \"name\": \"Mastitis\",\r\n                \"description\": \"An infection of breast tissue that can mimic some symptoms of breast cancer.\"\r\n             }\r\n          ],\r\n          \"stage\": [\r\n             \"Stage I: Small tumors confined to the breast tissue.\",\r\n             \"Stage II: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.\",\r\n             \"Stage III: Tumor is larger and has invaded surrounding tissues.\",\r\n             \"Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs, such as bones or lungs.\",\r\n             \"Recurrent: Breast cancer that returns after treatment.\"\r\n          ],\r\n          \"code\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"MedicalCode\",\r\n             \"codeValue\": \"C50\",\r\n             \"codingSystem\": \"ICD-10\"\r\n          },\r\n          \"signOrSymptom\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"MedicalSignOrSymptom\",\r\n             \"name\": [\r\n                \"Lump in the breast\",\r\n                \"Breast pain\",\r\n                \"Nipple discharge\",\r\n                \"Breast swelling\",\r\n                \"Changes in breast shape\"\r\n             ]\r\n          },\r\n          \"possibleTreatment\": {\r\n             \"@type\": \"MedicalTherapy\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Chemotherapy\",\r\n             \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chemotherapy\",\r\n             \"description\": \"A cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells, commonly used for breast cancer.\",\r\n             \"alternateName\": [\r\n                \"Chemo\",\r\n                \"Cancer Drug Therapy\"\r\n             ],\r\n             \"guideline\": {\r\n                \"@type\": \"MedicalGuideline\",\r\n                \"name\": \"NCCN Chemotherapy Guidelines\",\r\n                \"description\": \"Guidelines provided by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for chemotherapy use in cancer treatment.\",\r\n                \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.nccn.org\/guidelines\/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1417\"\r\n             }\r\n          }\r\n       },\r\n       \"about\": [\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"MedicalTherapy\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Chemotherapy\",\r\n             \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chemotherapy\",\r\n             \"description\": \"Chemotherapy is a common breast cancer treatment that involves the use of powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells.\",\r\n             \"alternateName\": [\r\n                \"Chemo\",\r\n                \"Cancer Drug Therapy\"\r\n             ]\r\n          },\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"MedicalTherapy\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Hormone Therapy\",\r\n             \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hormonal_therapy_(oncology)\",\r\n             \"description\": \"Hormone therapy is used to treat breast cancers that are hormone-receptor positive, blocking the body's ability to produce estrogen.\",\r\n             \"alternateName\": [\r\n                \"Endocrine Therapy\"\r\n             ]\r\n          },\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"MedicalTherapy\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Targeted Therapy\",\r\n             \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Targeted_therapy\",\r\n             \"description\": \"Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific genes or proteins that contribute to the growth and survival of cancer cells.\",\r\n             \"alternateName\": [\r\n                \"Precision Medicine\"\r\n             ]\r\n          },\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"MedicalTherapy\",\r\n             \"name\": \"Immunotherapy\",\r\n             \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Immunotherapy\",\r\n             \"description\": \"Immunotherapy helps the immune system fight cancer more effectively by targeting cancer cells.\"\r\n          },\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"WebPageElement\",\r\n             \"headline\": \"Chemotherapy Treatment\",\r\n             \"text\": \"Chemotherapy medications circulate throughout the body and kill cancer cells by interfering with their ability to reproduce. Typically, chemotherapy is given for approximately 3 to 6 months. The treatments are given by vein (IV) as an outpatient. Some treatments include daily pills as well as the IV treatments. Most treatments are given once every 2 or 3 weeks. Some treatments are given weekly. Many patients are able to function fairly normally between treatments, including being able to go to work and care for their families. Side effects of chemotherapy vary depending on the drug, the dose, the combination, and the schedule in which they are given. In general, these drugs can cause varying degrees of nausea, vomiting, low blood counts, tingling of the fingers and toes \u2013 known as neuropathy \u2013 and the weakening of heart muscle. If chemotherapy treatments are recommended, other medications may also be prescribed to support the body as it responds to the chemotherapy and cancer cells are killed. Many different kinds of drugs can be given to prevent or help minimize specific side effects. For example, if a chemotherapy drug is known to cause nausea and vomiting, anti-nausea drugs may be given. Patients may receive agents called colony-stimulating factors to increase the production of certain blood cells; and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) which can stimulate the body to produce infection-fighting white blood cells.\"\r\n          },\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"WebPageElement\",\r\n             \"headline\": \"Biologic Therapy Treatment\",\r\n             \"text\": \"Biologic therapies target specific proteins or molecular pathways that breast cancer cells use to grow. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a monoclonal antibody that halts the growth of breast cancer cells by binding to the her2neu protein on cancer cells. If the breast cancer is \u201cHER2 positive,\u201d this medication or other anti-HER2 medications may be offered to help prevent cancer recurrence. Trastuzumab is given intravenously. It works best when combined with standard chemotherapy for a number of months followed by a \u201cmaintenance\u201d treatment of IV trastuzumab given every 3 weeks and continuing for one year of total therapy. Patients who receive anti-HER2 therapy will often be monitored with an echocardiogram before starting the medication and periodically during the treatment period as there is a small risk that anti-HER2 therapy may damage the heart muscle. This is rare, and usually reversible. Newer biologic agents that target HER2 include pertuzumab (Perjeta), lapatinib (Tykerb) and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1 or Kadcyla).\"\r\n          },\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"WebPageElement\",\r\n             \"headline\": \"Immunotherapy Treatment\",\r\n             \"text\": \"Drugs that stimulate a person\u2019s own immune system to recognize and destroy breast cancer cells are known as immunotherapy. Also known as \u201ccheckpoint inhibitors,\u201d these drugs interfere with protein signals that cancer cells use to grow and multiply. PDL-1 inhibitors are one category. Immunotherapy is usually given intravenously.\"\r\n          },\r\n          {\r\n             \"@type\": \"WebPageElement\",\r\n             \"headline\": \"Endocrine Therapy Treatment\",\r\n             \"text\": \"Anti-hormone therapy or endocrine therapy is often used to treat breast cancer. Breast cancer cells that have estrogen and progesterone receptors on the surface of the cells are known as estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive cancers. Similar to chemotherapy, this form of therapy can be used to decrease the chance of cancer returning, to prevent a new breast cancer, as well as to treat cancer if it has spread. Endocrine therapy is absorbed and circulates throughout the entire body to destroy cancer cells that may be hidden, thereby preventing future cancer. There are two common types of medication used for this purpose: Tamoxifen This medication was first approved by the FDA in 1977 for use in breast cancer patients. It stops estrogen from getting into cancer cells by blocking the estrogen receptor. It is useful for patients both before and after menopause. It is currently approved for use in women who are at risk for breast cancer, for those who have had ductal carcinoma in situ removed, for those who have had invasive breast cancer removed and for women who are being treated for metastatic breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors There are three compounds used in the United States. They are anastrazole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin). They were first approved by the FDA in 2000. They stop production of estrogen in fat tissue and adrenal glands but do not stop production of estrogen in the ovaries. They are used for women in menopause. They are NOT useful for patients who are pre-menopausal. The two types of anti-estrogen medication have different side effects. The medical oncologist will recommend which medication to use and the duration of treatment. There are ongoing research studies that are trying to determine the optimum length of time to take these medications. Some premenopausal patients are candidates for ovary removal or chemical suppression of ovarian function.\"\r\n          }\r\n       ]\r\n    }\r\n }"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Medical Breast Treatments | Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Systemic Therapies are types of medical treatments that are absorbed in the bloodstream. Learn more about the different types of treatments.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Medical Breast Treatments | Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Systemic Therapies are types of medical treatments that are absorbed in the bloodstream. Learn more about the different types of treatments.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Breast\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-09T19:26:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/\",\"name\":\"Medical Breast Treatments | Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2018-10-23T18:55:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-09T19:26:09+00:00\",\"description\":\"Systemic Therapies are types of medical treatments that are absorbed in the bloodstream. Learn more about the different types of treatments.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Breast Cancer\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Breast Cancer Treatment\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Medical Treatments\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/\",\"name\":\"Breast\",\"description\":\"Margie Petersen Breast Center \/ Breast Oncology Center\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#organization\",\"name\":\"JWCI Breast Cancer Center\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/06\/logo-plain.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/06\/logo-plain.svg\",\"width\":1,\"height\":1,\"caption\":\"JWCI Breast Cancer Center\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Medical Breast Treatments | Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute","description":"Systemic Therapies are types of medical treatments that are absorbed in the bloodstream. Learn more about the different types of treatments.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Medical Breast Treatments | Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute","og_description":"Systemic Therapies are types of medical treatments that are absorbed in the bloodstream. Learn more about the different types of treatments.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/","og_site_name":"Breast","article_modified_time":"2025-04-09T19:26:09+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/","url":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/","name":"Medical Breast Treatments | Saint John\u2019s Cancer Institute","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#website"},"datePublished":"2018-10-23T18:55:51+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-09T19:26:09+00:00","description":"Systemic Therapies are types of medical treatments that are absorbed in the bloodstream. Learn more about the different types of treatments.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/medical-treatments\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Breast Cancer","item":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Breast Cancer Treatment","item":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/breast-cancer\/treatment\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Medical Treatments"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/","name":"Breast","description":"Margie Petersen Breast Center \/ Breast Oncology Center","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#organization","name":"JWCI Breast Cancer Center","url":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/06\/logo-plain.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/06\/logo-plain.svg","width":1,"height":1,"caption":"JWCI Breast Cancer Center"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=417"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/417\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/breast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}