Breast Cancer Radiation

Radiation therapy involves using high energy rays to block the ability of cancer cells to reproduce. The rays are focused very precisely on the tumor to avoid the surrounding tissue. Breast cancer radiation is often used as a complement to surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells; in this case the treatment is called adjuvant radiation therapy.  

In the treatment of breast cancer, the therapy can be administered internally or externally. 

In external beam radiation, the radioactive source is placed outside the body of the patient while concentrating the rays precisely on the tumor. For greater precision, the radiologist first draws marks on the skin of the treated area to indicate areas to be targeted by the radiation. Throughout the session of the therapy, you will be recommended to remain totally immobile in holding your arms in a correct position. External radiation therapy is not painful and does not make you radioactive.  

After a lumpectomy, your doctor may recommend internal radiotherapy. In this case, a minor surgical procedure will be performed to implant in the diseased breast wires and tubes containing radioactive substances. The radiation sources are placed carefully near or directly in the tumor, and then removed after. Unlike external beam radiotherapy, internal radiation therapy requires admission to hospital, and can cause you to be radioactive. 

Whether internal or external, radiation therapy to the breast can cause side effects in some patients: redness and burns to the skin, nausea, feeling lack of energy, exhaustion or fatigue.  However, these side effects are often not serious and usually disappear after the therapy is completed. Although rare, breast cancer radiation therapy can lead to complications; therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about any abnormality you feel during and after the treatment.