Final answer:
Surgery is not the sole treatment for breast cancer; various treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, often combined based on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as patient factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
It's important to note that surgery is not the only effective treatment for breast cancer. There are multiple modalities of treatment available, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. The best plan of treatment for a client with breast cancer is determined by various factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and their personal preferences. A healthcare team will consider all these aspects to recommend a comprehensive treatment plan, which may combine different therapies to achieve the best possible outcome.
For instance, if a breast cancer is localized and has not spread, surgery may be successful in removing the tumor, and sometimes, local lymph nodes are removed as well. However, in cases where the cancer has spread, or if surgery isn't feasible due to the tumor's location, other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy could be employed to kill or control the cancer cells. Additionally, advancing treatments targeting specific proteins and molecular pathways are underway, which could also become part of a patient's treatment plan.