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Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a method of delivering high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells. Radiation done after surgery can kill cancer cells that may not be seen or removed during surgery. High-energy rays targeted by sophisticated machines in radiation therapy rooms destroy the cancer cells at precise locations and to specified depths, with the goal of sparing normal, surrounding tissue.
Radiation may also be done:
- prior to surgery to shrink the tumor;
- in combination with chemotherapy;
- and as a palliative treatment (therapy that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but is not intended to cure the disease).
The radiation oncology specialists can administer radiation by beams from outside the body or by implants within the body. External radiation is the usual type that is used for treatment of breast cancer. Radiation oncologists prescribe, plan, and managed the treatments, based on your medical history, a physical examination, pathology and laboratory reports, and previous mammograms and surgeries. Radiation therapists control the radiation machine and deliver the treatment. Since radiation is used to destroy cancer cells and to shrink tumors, radiation clinicians may use special shields to protect the tissue surrounding the treatment area. Normally, each treatment is painless and lasts just a few minutes.
Your chest area will be marked with ink that must stay on your skin for the course of your treatments. These markings assure that the radiation will be given to the exact area requiring treatment.
Advanced techniques available at Jeff: Jefferson’s widely respected and pioneering Department of Radiation Oncology offers certain procedure advances not available at many centers. For example, department specialists are the only ones in the region who use a breathing device called Active Breathing Coordination for patients with cancer of the left breast. This technology protects the heart and other organs from damaging radiation during therapy. In addition, Jefferson radiation oncologists provide intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT or radiation treatments delivered during open surgery), conformal radiation therapy (use of diagnostic imaging, powerful computers, and specialized software to conform the radiation beam to the shape of the tumor), and brachytherapy (implanting radioactive material directly into the tumor or close to it). These approaches cut down on a woman’s time spent undergoing radiation therapy treatment and provide direct radiation access to cancer tissue that is not possible with external-beam radiation.
Side effects of radiation therapy: As each person's individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so are patient reactions to treatment. Side effects may be severe, mild, or absent. Be sure to discuss with your cancer care team the possible side effects of treatment before the treatment begins. These effects may occur during or following radiation for breast cancer include:
- fatigue (especially during the later weeks of treatment);
- skin problems in the treated area, including soreness, itching, peeling, or redness, and possible moistness and weepiness near the end of treatment;
- and decreased sensation in the breast tissue or under the arm.
In most cases, the effects of radiation on the skin are temporary and the skin involved in the treated area will heal upon completion of treatment.
A radiation oncologist carefully monitors the intensity and length of each treatment, and the area being treated. In addition, you will have regular physical examinations during the course of your treatments.
Note: Jefferson was one of the U.S. hospitals that helped develop standard radiation dosages for the best therapeutic and cosmetic results following lumpectomy surgery.
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