Radiation treatment for breast cancer is one of the effective methods of treatment for breast cancer. It involves the use of high energy x-rays or protons or photons to kill the tumor cells. There are two types of radiation treatments for breast cancer. One is external radiation therapy, or EBRT, and the other is internal radiation therapy, or Brachytherapy. It is mostly used to treat the patients who are in the early stages of breast cancer. It can be also be used in the treatment for stage 4 breast cancer. However, in this stage, it is used to control the spreading of cancer cells or for the treatment of other symptoms. Sometimes, it is combined with surgery, for the patients in the early stages. The most commonly used radiation sources for brachytherapy or EBRT are gamma rays of cobalt-60, Palladium-103, Iodine-125 and Caesium-137, and beta particles of Ruthenium-106 and Iridium-192.

Procedure of Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer

Once radiation therapy has been prescribed to patients, they have to sit with the oncologist and the doctor to discuss the details like the area of the breast where the radiation will be passed on, amount of radiation, number of sessions and the duration of each of them and precautions to be taken to avoid any complications in the treatment procedure. Your doctor will also tell you about the side effects of the treatment. Usually each session goes on for maximum twenty minutes and the patient is advised to meet the oncologist once a week to record the improvements and plan the further steps.

In case of external radiation therapy or EBRT, linear accelerators or cobalt machines are used to pass radiations inside the patient’s body. Prior to the passing of radiations, marks are made on the body of the patient. These marks denote the places where the radiations are to be passed. Once these radiations enter inside the human body, they react with the cancer cells and destroy them.

In case of internal radiation therapy, brachytherapy, the radiation source is placed inside the body. Due to this, the radiation passes only to the affected area, and does not harm the healthy cells. Also, if the patient or the tumor cells move during the treatment, the source retains the correct position. Hence the cancer cells can also be killed using higher doses of radiation. There are two ways of giving brachytherapy to the patient. One is called as the interstitial breast brachytherapy and the other is called as the intracavity breast brachytherapy. In case of interstitial breast brachytherapy plastic catheters are placed in the breast tissue, targeting the tumor cells. These catheters are flexible and are connected to an afterloader that passes the radiation dose to the affected area. While, in case of intracavitary breast brachytherapy, a balloon catheter is used to pass the radiation inside the patient’s body. This radiation dose is passed through a balloon inside the body, hence the name.

Moreover, this course requires lesser time period, as compared to other treatment methods. The radiation source is measured in grays per hour and it refers to the intensity of radiation that is to be passed through the patient’s body.

Radiation Therapy Side Effects

Though painless procedure, radiation therapy for breast cancer has some side effects in its line. The patient might experience fatigue, within two to three weeks, after the sessions of the treatment start, discomfort, dryness or redness in the treated area of the skin, dry mouth, sore throat and reduced blood counts. If coughing, fever, vomiting or any other unusual pain is observed during or after the sessions of radiotherapy, then the patient is adviced to see the doctor immediately. Long term side effects of radiation treatment for breast cancer include lung inflammation, damage to heart or rib fracture. Sometimes lung inflammation or rib fracture tends to heal on its own.

Taking Care

Taking care of certain small things like healthy diet and adequate sleep help to get rid of the fatigue or dizziness caused from the radiations. Also, applying moisturizers or sun blocks, prescribed by the doctor, and avoiding tight fitting clothes can help reduce the redness, dryness or discomfort caused in the treated area. Also, people suffering from low blood count during or after the therapy can check their blood regularly and follow the diet plan prescribed by their doctor.

Radiation treatment for breast cancer is considered by many doctors as an effective method of treatment for cancer. It not only helps the patient to get rid of the disease, but also prevents its recurrence in the patient’s body. Moreover, taking proper precautions can help you get rid of breast cancer as well as the treatment’s side effects.