Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays or other particles to kill any cancer cells that remain in the breast or adjoining area. It is targeted and highly effective.   Typically all patients undergoing breast conservation therapy and some patients undergoing mastectomy will have radiation therapy as part of their treatment.  Radiation therapy has an important role in treating all stages of breast cancer.  While it can cause side effects, it is generally safe and easy to tolerate.
   

Radiation Therapy after Lumpectomy
The great advantage of the lumpectomy is that it leaves the breast mostly intact.  However, this also means some cancer cells may remain near the tumor site or elsewhere in the breast.  For this reason, early stage breast cancer patients who have lumpectomies usually undergo a course of radiation therapy after their surgery.  This radiation reduces the risk of recurrence and is called adjuvant therapy.  A great deal of research supports adjuvant radiation therapy following lumpectomy.  Studies show that, without radiation, patients who have lumpectomies have a up to a 30% recurrence rate.  After radiation therapy, the recurrence rate drops to 10%.  That translates to a 70% reduction in the risk of local recurrence.
 

Radiation after Mastectomy
Adjuvant radiation therapy is recommended for some women after a mastectomy.  It is normally done when tumors  are larger than 5 centimeters, the lymphatic channels or blood vessels contain cancer cells, the surgeon is unable to obtain a sufficient cancer-free margin of tissue around the tumor, or lymph nodes are involved.  In post-menopausal women, radiation after mastectomy is generally indicated if four or more lymph nodes contain cancer.  In pre-menopausal women, radiation therapy is typically recommended if at least one lymph node is involved.  Women with locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer also receive radiation therapy following mastectomy.
 

Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
No pain is involved in receiving radiation therapy, but it causes side effects.  A common side effect involves the skin of the breast and resembles sunburn.  It includes redness, itching, burning, irritation and peeling.  Other side effects could include fatigue and swelling or discomfort in the arm.  Not every patient experiences these side effects.  When they do occur, they tend to come on slowly as the treatment progresses, and then disappear gradually after treatment ends.

You should talk to your treatment team before you begin radiation therapy to discuss possible side effects and the steps you can take to minimize any problems.  If you experience side effects during your treatment, always tell the doctor, nurse or technician.