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What would you like to know about radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and reduce the chance of breast cancer returning. It's commonly used after lumpectomy to eliminate remaining cancer cells, and sometimes after mastectomy if the tumor was large or cancer Show Full Answer

What would you like to know about radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and reduce the chance of breast cancer returning. It's commonly used after lumpectomy to eliminate remaining cancer cells, and sometimes after mastectomy if the tumor was large or cancer spread to lymph nodes.

There are several types of radiation therapy available:

External Beam Radiation
- Photon beam therapy targets tumors using photon beams
- Proton therapy uses proton beams for more precise targeting with less damage to healthy tissue
- Can treat the whole breast or just part of it

Brachytherapy (Internal Radiation)
- Places radioactive material directly inside the breast near where the tumor was
- Less commonly used today for breast cancer

Treatment Schedule
Most people receive external radiation five days a week for three to six weeks. Each session takes 30-45 minutes. Partial breast radiation may only take one to three weeks with twice-daily treatments.

Possible Side Effects
Side effects vary by person but can include fatigue, skin changes, and rarely, long-term complications like lung problems or heart disease (especially with left-sided radiation).

Is there a specific aspect of radiation therapy you'd like to know more about?

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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