What is the typical treatment approach for stage I breast cancer?

For stage I breast cancer, the typical treatment approach involves surgery followed by radiation therapy. This is primarily because stage I indicates that the cancer is localized and has not spread beyond the breast or to nearby lymph nodes.

Surgical options usually include a lumpectomy or mastectomy, depending on the size and location of the tumor and the patient's preferences. Lumpectomy, which is the removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue, is often followed by radiation therapy. The purpose of radiation therapy is to eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the breast area, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence.

In contrast, chemotherapy is not routinely indicated for stage I breast cancer, as it is generally reserved for higher stage cancers or aggressive tumor characteristics. Hormonal therapy may be used depending on the hormone receptor status of the tumor, but it is not the primary treatment modality used alone in stage I. Radiation therapy alone is also not sufficient to manage stage I breast cancer without the initial surgical intervention that removes the primary tumor.