Radiation breast cancer
Radiation therapy – also called radiotherapy – is highly targeted, very effective way to destroy breast cancer cells that stick around after the surgery. Radiation can reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer by about 70%. Despite what many are afraid of radiation is relatively easy to tolerate the side effects and is limited to the treated area.
The radiation treatments will be monitored by a radiation oncologist, a physician specializing in radiation therapy of tumors.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is using a large machine called a linear accelerator for the precise amounts of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells provide. The radiation stops the reproduction of tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Radiation therapy has been shown that survival in women with breast cancer to improve.
Radiotherapy for breast cancer can be used:
after lumpectomy or mastectomy alone or in combination with chemotherapy, to reduce the risk of cancer grows again in the chest.
The main treatment for breast cancer and the surgeon believes the tumor can not be removed safely and the woman’s health is not a possible or if the woman chooses not to have surgery.
to treat cancer that has spread to bone and brain.
to relieve pain or other problems, if the cancer returns.
Unintended effects of Radiation Therapy
Radiotherapy is painless. However, some women experience side effects, which may include:
redness, discomfort and dryness of the skin in the treated area. Your doctor will recommend a specific treatment, if this happens. The redness may last until one year to fade.
fatigue, usually two to three weeks after treatment begins. The increases in fatigue during the duration of treatment and goes away about a months after the end of treatment. Fatigue should not disable. Most women go through a nap or go to bed earlier.
lower blood counts. Your blood will be checked regularly, especially if also receiving chemotherapy.
Sometimes women also experience a sore mouth or throat, dry mouth or, if these areas are irradiated.
During irradiation of breast cancer, women should:
Contact your doctor if you develop unusual symptoms such as coughing, sweating, fever, pain or unusual.
ensure adequate rest and eat a healthy diet.
for regular blood tests, as prescribed by your doctor.
be more gentle with the area. Avoid tight clothing or something that rubs.
protect the area from sun exposure
apply moisturizer after radiation was completed.
Many advances in radiotherapy for breast cancer have helped women to avoid side effects long term. However, they may occur and include:
rib fractures, which tend to heal without treatment (less than 1%)
pulmonary inflammation, which tends to resolve on its own (less than 1%)
damage to the heart (the old methods of radiotherapy has caused more problems. New advances avoid direct radiation to the heart.)
scar
Very rarely, radiotherapy are associated with other tumors such as Kaposi’s
Side Effects During Treatment
Radiotherapy can cause side effects during treatment. You
redness and irritation of the skin
discomfort and swelling of the breast or chest
fatigue
You can not notice the effects until a few weeks you’ve had a treatment. They begin to feel better when the treatment ends. But you may feel tired for several months.
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Side Effects After Treatment
For most women the appearance of the breast after radiotherapy is very good. But if you’re worried about the potential side effects, talk radio or care therapist breast nurse. You can also find it helpful to look at the main section on side effects of radiotherapy.
Radiation therapy may affect the risk of some types of breast reconstruction, but otherwise may be suitable for you. Reconstruction of tissue expansion is usually not possible after radiotherapy to the breast because the skin becomes less elastic post. Some forms of breast reconstruction with tissue can not be, as the area of the breast is a good supply of blood for this type of surgery. Radiotherapy reduces blood flow to the area.
Radiotherapy is a lasting effect on the skin and any tissue in the left breast after breast conservation surgery. You might find that
breast tissue more solid
reduction of breast tissue
swelling of the breast area
small red spots on skin
dark skin