Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy is a breast cancer treatment that uses medications that travel through your bloodstream to kill cancer cells throughout your body. It may be used by itself or in combination with hormone therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or breast cancer surgery.

At UPMC, breast medical oncologists use the latest chemotherapy medications — often in combination with other therapies or as part of clinical trials — to optimize your breast cancer treatment.

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a breast cancer treatment that uses medications that travel through your bloodstream to kill cancer cells throughout your body. It may be used by itself or in combination with hormone therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or breast cancer surgery.

What Types of Breast Cancer Do We Treat With Chemotherapy? 

Not all types of breast cancer are treated with chemotherapy.

Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy:

• After surgery, to kill any remaining cancer cells.
• Before surgery, to shrink the tumor so it can be removed more easily.
• If your cancer has spread to other areas of your body.

Who’s Eligible for Chemotherapy Services for Breast Cancer?

You may be eligible for chemotherapy depending on the type and stage of your breast cancer. Your doctor will let you know if chemotherapy is a breast cancer treatment option for you.

What Chemotherapy Treatments Do We Offer? 

We offer a full range of chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer, including:

Adjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery)

Adjuvant chemotherapy kills microscopic cancer cells that may remain after surgery and may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy before breast cancer surgery)

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink your tumor so it can be more easily removed. It can also be used to treat inflammatory breast cancer, or breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in your underarm. 

Chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer

Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body). It kills cancer cells throughout your body.

Chemotherapy clinical trials

UPMC experts participate in national, multicenter clinical trials studying promising chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer.

That means you can participate in research that has the potential to advance breast cancer care and access groundbreaking treatments years before they are available to the public. Your doctor will let you know if a chemotherapy clinical trial may be an option for you.

What Can I Expect? 

Your medical oncologist will create a chemotherapy treatment plan based on the type and stage of your breast cancer.

Chemotherapy may be:

• Given as an infusion.
• Given as an injection.
• Taken by mouth.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer?

Because chemotherapy medications travel through your bloodstream and kill cancer cells throughout your body, they can cause side effects including:

• Bleeding.
• Bruising.
• Diarrhea.
• Fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Heart damage.
• Increased risk of infection.
• Infertility.
• Loss of appetite.
• Menstrual changes.
• Mouth sores.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Nerve damage.
• Weight loss.

Your doctor will monitor your response to your medications and help you manage any side effects.

What supportive services do you offer during chemotherapy for breast cancer?

UPMC offers comprehensive services to support you during your chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, including:

• Administration of blood and blood products.
• Intraperitoneal ports.
• Laboratory specimen collection.
• Maintenance of central venous access devices.
• Nutritional counseling.
• Ostomy care.
• Patient navigation and social work services.
• Psychosocial counseling.

Why Choose UPMC for Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer? 

When you choose UPMC for chemotherapy for breast cancer, you will receive:

• Comprehensive breast cancer expertise — The breast cancer experts at UPMC provide state-of-the-art care for every form of breast cancer at every stage of the disease.
• Personalized, collaborative care — Our surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists work together to plan the best course of therapy for you.
• Supportive services tailored to your needs — Our approach to breast cancer care honors your preferences by blending advanced clinical methods with supportive services for the best possible results.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-09-18.