Theraphy Radiation For Breast Cancer

Radiation for Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy involves using a large machine called a linear accelerator to deliver precise amounts of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. The radiation stops the reproduction of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Radiation therapy has been shown to improve survival in women with breast cancer.

Radiation therapy for breast cancer can be used:

As the main treatment for breast cancer if the surgeon believes the tumor cannot be safely removed, if a woman's health does not allow surgery, or if the woman chooses not to have surgery.

To relieve pain or other problems if the cancer recurs.

Radiation Therapy Side Effects

Radiation therapy is painless. Your doctor will recommend a specific treatment if this happens. The fatigue increases during the duration of treatment and goes away about a month after treatment ends. Reduced blood counts. For more information about possible side effects, see Side Effects of Cancer Drugs and Radiation.

During radiation therapy for breast cancer, women should:

Contact the doctor if they develop unusual symptoms, such as coughing, sweating, fever, or unusual pain.

Apply moisturizing creams after radiation is complete.

Many advances in radiation therapy for breast cancer have helped women avoid long-term side effects. Rib fractures, which tend to heal without treatment (less than 1%)

Damage to the heart (Older methods of radiation therapy caused more problems. New advances avoid direct radiation to the heart.)

Breast Cancer: Radiation Therapy: What to Expect

Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high levels of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing and dividing -- while minimizing damage to healthy cells.

When Is Radiation Therapy Given?

If your doctor recommends chemotherapy along with radiation therapy, this might be given before you start radiation therapy.

What Happens On Treatment Days?

The radiation therapist will escort you into the treatment room. The therapist will help you onto the treatment table and help place you in the correct treatment position. Once the therapist is sure you are positioned correctly, he or she will leave the room and start the radiation treatment.

You will be under constant observation during the treatment. The treatment machine will not touch you and you will feel nothing during the treatment. Once your treatment is complete, the therapist will help you get off the treatment table.

How Will the Radiation Therapist Know I Am In the Correct Position?

Port films verify that you are being accurately positioned during your treatments.

Port films do not provide diagnostic information, so radiation therapists cannot learn about your progress from these films. However, port films are important to help the therapists maintain precision in your treatment.

Small marks resembling freckles will be tattooed on your skin along the treatment area by the radiation therapist. These marks provide a permanent outline of your treatment area. The therapist will remark the treatment area when necessary.

Good nutrition is an important part of recovering from the side effects of radiation therapy.