Cancer that has spread outside of the breast is usually treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs are often used after breast cancer surgery.

These drugs kill cancer cells throughout the body. For many women, chemotherapy can help cure breast cancer and prevent its recurrence. Tumors that are not sensitive to estrogens may respond to other drugs.

Chemotherapy medications include:

• Docetaxel (Taxotere)
• Paclitaxel (Taxol)
• Trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Chemotherapy is also used to slow this cancer once it has spread beyond the breast. Bone marrow transplantation may be an option for some women with metastatic cancer.