Radiation for Breast Cancer

Overview

Radiation therapy for breast cancer is a vital treatment that uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells. This painless and invisible treatment is often recommended after surgery to reduce the chance of the cancer returning. It’s a key part of comprehensive breast cancer care, working to eliminate any microscopic cancer cells that might remain after a lumpectomy or mastectomy. 

What Is Breast Cancer Radiotherapy?

Radiation therapy for breast cancer involves using powerful energy beams, like X-rays or protons, to damage and kill cancer cells. This treatment effectively targets rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells, which are more susceptible to radiation than healthy cells. After receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer, you are not radioactive, meaning it’s completely safe to be around others, including children.

Types of Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

There are several ways radiation therapy for breast cancer can be delivered, each tailored to the specific needs of the patient and the characteristics of their cancer. 

• External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

External beam radiation therapy for breast cancer is the most common type. In this approach, a large machine outside the body directs precise beams of radiation to the breast or chest wall. The treatment is delivered in daily sessions, usually five days a week, for several weeks. This method is highly effective in treating the entire breast after a lumpectomy or the chest wall after a mastectomy, ensuring that any remaining cancer cells in those areas are addressed.

• Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation therapy for breast cancer, involves placing a radioactive source directly inside the breast tissue. This is often done after surgery to remove the cancer, with a small device temporarily inserted into the area where the tumor was. The radioactive material is then placed into this device for short periods over several days, delivering a concentrated dose of radiation precisely where it’s needed, often resulting in a shorter overall treatment time compared to EBRT.

• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)

Intraoperative radiation therapy for breast cancer is a unique approach where a single, high dose of radiation is delivered to the tumor site during surgery, right after the breast cancer has been removed and before the surgical incision is closed. This method is designed to provide immediate, targeted radiation to the area most likely to have remaining cancer cells, and it’s typically an option for select early-stage breast cancers.

Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Procedures

Undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer involves a carefully planned process to ensure the treatment is as effective and safe as possible. 

Before the procedure 

Before starting radiation therapy for breast cancer, you’ll have a planning session called a simulation. During this session, your radiation oncology team will take detailed scans, like a CT scan, to precisely map the treatment area. They’ll help you find the most comfortable and accurate position for treatment, often using special molds or cushions. To ensure you are in the exact same position for each treatment, the team may place tiny marks on your skin. These can be temporary, or in some cases, small permanent dots that look like a freckle. These marks are crucial for the precision of your treatment.

During the procedure 

During each session of external beam radiation therapy for breast cancer, you’ll lie on a treatment table in the same position determined during your simulation. The radiation therapist will ensure you are correctly aligned. The machine will then deliver the radiation, a process that only takes a few minutes, though the entire session, including setup, can last 15 to 45 minutes. You won’t feel anything during the treatment, and the therapists will monitor you from an adjacent room, able to communicate with you through an intercom. For internal radiation therapy for breast cancer, the radioactive source is inserted into the implanted device for a short time and then removed, usually on an outpatient basis.

After the procedure 

Once your course of radiation therapy for breast cancer is complete, your medical team will schedule follow-up appointments. These visits are important for monitoring your recovery, checking for any long-term side effects, and ensuring there are no signs of the cancer returning. It’s crucial to communicate any new or persistent symptoms you experience after your radiation therapy for breast cancer to your healthcare provider.

Risks and Side Effects of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

Like all medical treatments, radiation therapy for breast cancer can have side effects. These can vary depending on the type of radiation, the area treated, and individual patient factors. Common side effects during treatment may include:

• Mild to moderate fatigue
• Skin irritation in the treated area, resembling a sunburn, with possible redness, itching, peeling, or blistering.
• Breast swelling

Your care team meticulously plans your treatment to protect healthy tissues. While the following long-term side effects are uncommon, it’s important to be aware of them:

• Arm swelling (lymphedema) if lymph nodes under the arm are treated.
• Damage or complications to breast implants, potentially requiring removal.
• Rarely, rib fracture or chest wall tenderness.
• Inflamed lung tissue or, in very rare cases, heart damage.
• Extremely rarely, the development of secondary cancers (such as sarcomas or lung cancer) years later.

Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Results

After completing radiation therapy for breast cancer, the results are often positive. This treatment is highly effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer recurring in the treated area. For many, combining radiation therapy for breast cancer with surgery is as effective as a mastectomy in preventing cancer recurrence. Your medical team will continue to monitor your progress, ensuring the best possible long-term outcome from your radiation therapy