Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the controlled use of radiation to treat cancer and reduce the pain and other symptoms caused by cancer. It can be used independently or combined with chemotherapy and or surgery to successfully treat many different types of cancers.

Radiation therapy for breast cancer is an effective treatment to reduce the chances of recurrence of breast cancer after surgery. The treatment involves using high-energy X-ray beams or brachytherapy to damage cancer cells and prevent further growth. This treatment can be performed in all cancer stages. This article discusses how radiotherapy for breast cancer works.

Types of Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

Types of radiation therapy that can be utilized to effectively treat breast cancer include:

• External beam radiation therapy

  In this treatment, a machine known as a linear accelerator sends beams of high-energy radiation to the tumor area. It is the most common type of radiation therapy used for treating breast cancer. There are three types of external beam radiation for breast cancer:

  1. Whole breast radiation
  2. Accelerated partial breast irradiation
  3. Chest wall radiation
• Brachytherapy (Internal Radiation)

  For brachytherapy or internal radiation therapy, a device containing radioactive seeds, or pellets, is placed into the breast tissue for a short time at the tumor site. The device is placed in the space left after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and remains there until the end of the treatment. Intracavitary brachytherapy is the most common treatment for women with breast cancer. The device is put into the cavity left from breast-conserving surgery and is kept until the treatment is completed.

  The other type of brachytherapy is interstitial brachytherapy, where many hollow catheters are inserted into the breast in the tumor site and left in place for many days. Radioactive pellets are inserted into the catheters for short durations each day. Intracavitary brachytherapy is used more than interstitial brachytherapy.

What Should I Expect Before a Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer Session?

Before the treatment, expect the following:

• Before your first session, you’ll have a planning or simulation session to help your healthcare provider map the treatment area while sparing healthy tissues and vital organs. This session takes about an hour.
• Your body is positioned in an immobilization device on the treatment table to help you remain in the correct position for the treatments.
• The provider will use techniques to minimize the dose to the healthy tissue and vital organs.
• The corners of the treatment areas will be marked by your provider using permanent or semi-permanent markers to align the radiation treatment similarly each time.

Common Side Effects of Radiation for Breast Cancer

While undergoing radiation therapy, you may feel several changes in your body. There are some possible side effects as well. Take note of the changes mentioned below while undergoing your radiation therapy sessions.

• Skin irritation, including itchiness, redness, peeling, or blistering, similar to a sunburn.
• Mild fatigue
• Breast swelling
• Tender breast
• Skin discoloration

These side effects are more prominent towards the end of your radiation treatment. After the sessions are complete, it may be several days or weeks before the side effects fade.

What Happens After Radiation Therapy Treatment for Breast Cancer?

After completing each scheduled radiation therapy session, your radiation oncologist or medical professional will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress. Studies show that a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy is as effective as a mastectomy without radiation therapy.

Looking for radiation therapy for breast cancer? Contact our team at Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates (COHA). Our radiation oncologists have access to advanced treatment options and use the most sophisticated radiation treatments available for treating breast cancer. Our treatments include intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), proton therapy, and more.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer