Treatment

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Treatment

Chapter: 6 - Treatment

Subchapter: 7 - Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, which commonly follows surgery, uses x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. People with Stage 0 (DCIS ) or Stage 1 invasive cancer and higher, who have had a lumpectomy, can expect radiation therapy to be a part of their treatment regimen.

Radiation therapy is administered by a radiation oncologist at a radiation center, and usually begins three to four weeks after surgery. The radiation is used to destroy undetectable cancer cells and reduce the risk of cancer recurring in the affected breast.

Let’s discuss adjuvant radiation therapies in further detail. Keep in mind that the course of treatment you decide is something you should discuss with your radiation oncologist in order to ensure that it is as effective as possible.

External Beam Radiation
External beam radiation (also known as traditional or whole breast radiation therapy) uses external beam radiation, like that of a regular x-ray, but the beam is highly focused and targets the cancerous area for two to three minutes. This form of treatment usually involves multiple appointments in an outpatient radiation center — as many as five days a week for five or six weeks. Certain situations may require a slightly higher dose of radiation over a shorter course of treatment, usually three to four weeks.

Internal Radiation
Internal radiation is another form of partial breast radiation. During the treatment, the doctor inserts a radioactive liquid with needles, wires, or a catheter in order to target the area nearest the cancer and kill any possible remaining cancer cells.

Radiation Side Effects
Radiation therapy can have side effects, and these vary from person to person. The most common side-effects are sunburn-type skin irritation of the targeted area, breast heaviness and discoloration, and fatigue. If you experience side effects, you should discuss them with your doctor, who may be able to suggest other more comfortable treatments.

You need to be aware that more intense treatment methods will tax your body. During radiation therapy, it is essential to take care of yourself by getting extra rest and making good nutrition a priority.

Related Questions

  • Missing

    Hello, has anyone had a UTI or pain urinating 2 weeks after their chemotherapy?

    Asked by anonymous

    Family Member or Loved One
    about 1 year ago 2 answers •
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Yes, after my first chemo and a bout with neutropenic fever, I experienced a UTI after each subsequent round of chemo. My oncologist thought it may be as a result of the erosion of the bladder lining because of the chemo. I was put on antibiotics each time I became symptomatic and it worked...

      more

      Yes, after my first chemo and a bout with neutropenic fever, I experienced a UTI after each subsequent round of chemo. My oncologist thought it may be as a result of the erosion of the bladder lining because of the chemo. I was put on antibiotics each time I became symptomatic and it worked cured me each time. Urology ultrasound didn't show anything abnormal so we guessed it was just because my immune system was so suppressed.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Yes, I have recently had slight pain when urinating two weeks after my 3rd A/C infusion. I was tested for an infection (urine sample) but it came back negative. That was a relief. I know from experience that once you get full blown UTI, it's very painful. Good luck and get tested just to make...

      more

      Yes, I have recently had slight pain when urinating two weeks after my 3rd A/C infusion. I was tested for an infection (urine sample) but it came back negative. That was a relief. I know from experience that once you get full blown UTI, it's very painful. Good luck and get tested just to make sure. Chemo side effects come and go like the wind. You just have to ride them out. Good luck.

      Comment
  • Missing

    Anybody have problems with expanders when doing radition???My temp is finished now they say they may have to take it out,

    Asked by anonymous

    Stage 3C Patient
    3 months ago 3 answers •
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      They told me the same thing. My oncologist found a radiation doctor that would do it with my expanders. So, I had my radiation done with my expanders in me and they weren't all the way filled.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2011

      I didn't do expandersbut my chemo buddy did and had to have one taken out to do rads.

      2 comments

  • Has anyone been on taxotere& cytoxan for chemo? I'm also taking steroid pills the day before, the day of, and the day after. Is this normal? Is this what makes you gain weight? Do I need the steroids? Very nervous, I start chemo tomorrow.

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    about 1 year ago 3 answers •
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2007

      Hi Lisa,
      Try to think of the chemo as your path to getting back to a normal life and wiping out that nasty BC. You have a lot of company with your mix of chemo., and the combination of drugs is pretty common. Even though we may have diagnosis that sound the same, there are always differences in...

      more

      Hi Lisa,
      Try to think of the chemo as your path to getting back to a normal life and wiping out that nasty BC. You have a lot of company with your mix of chemo., and the combination of drugs is pretty common. Even though we may have diagnosis that sound the same, there are always differences in many components of individual cells. The steroids are used as a preventative to some reactions to the chemotherapy drugs. Steroids can cause weight gain but so will lack of normal exercise. You aren't on the steroids all that much. You only take them around and during your treatment. Did your oncologist have a port placed for the delivery of your treatments?
      I can only tell you of my experiences with chemotherapy. I started losing my hair about 2 weeks after the first treatment. I never had nausea but the first few days after my treatments, I felt very tired kind of like the flu. After about the 4th or 5th day, there was a big turn-around and I was back to normal. I was taking a different combination of drugs than you, but my taste changed. Before chemo, I LOVED coffee and chocolate. During chemo, I craved greens! I used to consume bags of spinach and salads. After chemo, back to the coffee and chocolate. I lost a little bit of weight.
      The time I spend in the place where the chemo is given was like a little party room. Much laughing, talking, and eating with the other patients. I loved the people and had a great time.... no kidding!
      I would take something to read, MP3, or other electronic thingy, or a crossword puzzle... anything that you enjoy. I always slept through part of my treatment which lasted about 1.5 to 2 hours. I ALWAYS asked questions and I think you should bring a list of things you want to ask for tomorrow. Be your own best advocate. If something doesn't seem right, speak up! Be polite, but be sure and check when that inner voice says "Something doesn't seem right." I always dealt with the entire breast cancer thing with a whole lot of humor. It seemed to take the place of my fear. Hang in there.... you will be ok. Tomorrow will be one treatment checked off on your road to recovery. BE SURE TO DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS! Take care, and God's blessings, Sharon

      4 comments
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I had both of those drugs. The steroid you are taking is to help with the nausea. It really worked for me. It kind of makes you wired fir a couple of days though. It did make me put on a little weight. If you feel well enough, walking might help with that. As forth drugs, the taxotere caused some...

      more

      I had both of those drugs. The steroid you are taking is to help with the nausea. It really worked for me. It kind of makes you wired fir a couple of days though. It did make me put on a little weight. If you feel well enough, walking might help with that. As forth drugs, the taxotere caused some numbness & tingling in my fingers &

      Comment

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