Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women worldwide. Although breast cancer treatment often includes surgery, chemotherapy and hormone therapy, radiation therapy plays a key role in controlling local disease and improving overall survival. In this article, we will discuss how radiation therapy is used to treat breast cancer.
What is radiation therapy in the context of breast cancer?
Radiation therapy, or radiation, is a cancer treatment method that aims to destroy cancer cells using high-energy radiation. In the context of breast cancer, radiation therapy is often used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This is often necessary because even a small amount of remaining cancer cells can lead to recurrence.
When is radiation therapy used to treat breast cancer?
Radiation therapy is usually offered to women after breast cancer surgery, such as lumpectomy (removal of the tumor while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possible) or mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). Post-operative (doadjuvant) radiation therapy aims to destroy any cancer cells that may have remained after surgery.
In some cases, radiation therapy may also be administered before surgery is undertaken (neoadjuvant) to reduce the size of the tumor and facilitate its removal.
What is the radiation therapy procedure for breast cancer treatment?
Before starting radiation therapy, a patient will have to undergo a planning procedure called simulation. Simulation involves taking CT scans of the breast, which help doctors pinpoint the area to be irradiated.
Then, with the help of a computer, the radiation oncologist develops a customized treatment plan, taking into account the location and size of the tumor, as well as the location of adjacent organs, such as the heart and lungs, which must be protected.
During the radiation therapy procedure itself, the patient lies on a table while a radiation therapy machine moves around her body, emitting radiation from different directions. Each treatment usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is usually carried out five days a week for several weeks.
What are the potential side effects of radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy, while effective, is not without side effects. Some of the most common side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer include:
- Skin changes, such as redness, dryness, itching or cracking of the skin - Swelling of the breast - Fatigue
Most of these side effects, however, are temporary and disappear after treatment ends.
Conclusions
Radiation therapy is an important component of a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment that aims to provide the greatest chance of cure and the lowest risk of recurrence. Although radiation therapy is associated with some side effects, its benefits outweigh these challenges, and researchers are constantly working to improve this therapy to make it even more effective and safer for patients.
