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Chemotherapy after surgery for breast cancer
Source: Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: Not stated in this source · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
NCI patient treatment article for this disease Exact source article; not a clinically reviewed indication or current-standard recommendation.
Context: Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer / When is chemotherapy for breast cancer given?
After surgery to remove breast cancer, some people may receive chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is given to kill any remaining cancer cells to lower the risk of recurrence. Chemotherapy after surgery may be called adjuvant chemotherapy.
Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy after surgery if you have:
high-grade breast cancer (grade 3)
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breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes
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triple-negative breast cancer
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inflammatory breast cancer
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice