Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy also referred to as radiotherapy is the most common treatment for breast cancer

Fundamentals of Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy or Radio therapy is a type of breast cancer treatment that uses high x-ray
to kill the cancerous cell. Radiation therapy may also be recommended when a tumor can’t be surgically removed due to the size or location.

Primary goal of radiation therapy:

  • Radiation therapy can be used for post surgical care such as in case of lumpectomy, radiation therapy can be used to cut away or kill any remaining cancer cells inside the breast.
  • It is effective in reducing the size of breast tumors which can make them more manageable for procedures such as surgeries and thus help in decreasing the chances of cancer coming back.
  • It is also used as a safeguard in situations, to lower the risk of cancer recurrence after surgery especially if the tumor was large or the tumor cells were detected in lymph nodes.
  • Radiation therapy does not only focus on directly targeting cancer cells but also focuses on improving the overall well being of patients by softening symptoms and making their life quality better particularly in advanced or later stages of breast cancer.

Let’s understand the types of radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is divided into two types External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and Internal radiation therapy (IRT).

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

EBRT, also known as External Beam Radiation Therapy, uses a machine which sends energy beams that destroys tumors. It is a painless experience as the machines do not touch our body at all. However, you might observe elements in your surroundings that could be stressful.

For instance, the machine will generate clicking and whirring sounds as it moves.

EBRT uses highly developed technology to customize radiation treatments, aiming to kill cancer cells while reducing harm to the nearby healthy tissue.

Internal radiation therapy (IRT)

IRT is also known as internal radiation therapy. This type of radiation therapy uses implants or drugs in the form of solid
or liquid that are placed inside the body near to the cancer
cell or where the tumor is detected so as to deliver the
radiation.

Internal radiation therapy is divided into two parts, the
implants or drugs in the form of solid is called Brachytherapy
and the implants or drugs in the form of liquid is called
Systemic therapy.

Side Effects of radiation therapy

Patients receiving radiation therapy do not receive the full dose at a time as the treatment is divided into sessions as the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor gets healing time to recover between the sessions. Due to these session breaks the percentage of the side effects gets lowered. 

Although most people may experience some of the listed side effects. However these effects only impact the specific part of the body receiving radiation therapy. Your radiation oncologist will manage and address these side effects.

Side effects that include:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Headaches.
  • Skin irritation.
  • Dry, itchy scalp.
  • Hair loss.
  • Mouth sores.
  • Pain when you swallow.
  • Reduced appetite.
  • A burning feeling in your throat or chest.
  • Pain or a burning sensation when you pee.
  • The need to pee frequently (often in small amounts).
  • Abdominal bloating or cramps.
  • Sense of urgency to have a bowel movement..

Radiation therapy is an impactful cancer treatment as it can destroy cancer cells depending upon the type of the cancer patient has along with this it also helps other treatments work better. Although it also helps to soften the symptoms and help you not undergo pain.

Even though radiation therapy treats breast cancer effectively it may also increase the chance of developing cancer again, however many people find significant benefits from radiation therapy

References for the article