TNBC

The HER2-negative subtype TNBC is typically treated with a combination of surgery and whole-body treatment. This most often includes chemotherapy and sometimes immunotherapy. This is because the medicines used to treat the HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer subtype do not work on TNBC.

If the cancer in the breast is small, treatment may start with a lumpectomy or mastectomy. If the cancer in the breast is larger, healthcare professionals often use chemotherapy and, sometimes, immunotherapy before surgery. Treatment before surgery is called neoadjuvant therapy. The medicines help to shrink the cancer and make it easier to remove. Using medicine first also gives the healthcare team a chance to see how well the treatment works. This helps the care team make decisions about what treatment to do next to shrink the cancer.

When cancer spreads, it's called metastatic cancer. If TNBC spreads to distant parts of the body, treatment usually focuses on slowing the growth of the cancer and managing symptoms. Treatment often starts with chemotherapy or other medicines. It may include surgery, radiation therapy and new options being tested in clinical trials.