Radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. This therapy is usually done on patients after breast-sparing surgery and some women may receive radiation therapy after a mastectomy is performed. The radiation therapy treatment is based on the size of the tumor as well as other factors that our breast surgeon will consider. Radiation therapy destroys the breast cancer cells that might have remained in the body.
Our breast surgeon at Texas Breast Care may give radiation therapy to patients before breast surgery to shrink the tumor and destroy cancer cells. This is usually done when the tumor is hard to remove or is large. Hormone therapy and chemotherapy may also be done before surgery.
Two types of radiation therapy to treat breast cancer are used. Patients may receive both types of radiation therapy:
- External radiation: The radiation is generated from a large machine outside the body. Treatments are typically 5 days a week for a number of weeks.
- Internal radiation (implant radiation): Thin plastic tubes (implants) holding radioactive material are inserted directly in the breast. These implants remain in the breast for many days. The patient will remain in the hospital while she has implants. Our breast surgeon will remove the implants before the patient is released to go home.
The side effects a patient has will depend on the type and dosage of radiation as well as what part of the body is treated. Generally, the skin in the treated area will be itchy, tender, dry, and red. The breast could also feel tight or heavy. These side effects of radiation therapy on the skin will decrease and disappear over time.
A patient is expected to become extremely tired during radiation therapy, especially in the later weeks of radiation therapy treatment. Getting plenty of rest is important, but our breast surgeon recommends that patients should try to stay as active as they can to promote a quicker recovery.
Source of information: National Cancer Institute – www.cancer.gov
National Women’s Health Information Center – www.womenshealth.gov
Texas Breast Care offers radiation therapy for metastatic breast cancer treatment in Arlington, Ft. Worth, Las Colinas, Irving, Plano, Lewisville and other areas in Texas.
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