Radiation

Radiation differs from chemotherapy in that it is a more localized form of treatment. The treatment uses high energy rays to kill cancerous cells that remain in the body after surgical removal of the cancerous growth. Patients who receive radiation therapy after surgery are given time for their tissues to heal, and if the patient is also going to receive chemotherapy, radiation treatment will usually be reserved for last.

The most common form of therapy is called external beam radiation. This is the process in which a ray of high energy is directed from another source to the affected area. This area is usually comprised of the breast and in some cases may include the underarm and chest wall areas, too. The therapy can be compared in essence to getting an x-ray, since the procedure itself is painless. However, the radiation received is more intense and takes longer than having a regular x-ray performed. Radiation technologists will make ink marks on each area to be treated in order to make the treatment as precise and effective as possible. The length and time of treatment will vary depending on the patient, but treatment courses usually last about six weeks.

The most common side effects include fatigue and sunburn-like changes to the treated areas. Patients should plan to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun in order to prevent further damage to the skin. These effects can last up to a year or more after radiation therapy is complete.

There is a relatively new form of treatment called brachytherapy. In this treatment procedure, radioactive seeds are inserted next to the cancer site and help to destroy the remaining cancer cells. This form of therapy is still undergoing testing but shows promising results. This therapy is known as internal radiation, and patients who are interested in participating in this form of treatment should talk to their doctors about whether or not it is right for them. Radiation therapy of any kind is not given to pregnant women, since radiation can harm an unborn baby. Women who plan to become pregnant should discuss their alternatives with their doctors.