Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer
Radiotherapy or radiation therapy (XRT) uses high energy rays for destroying cancer cells. In most cases women undergo breast sparing surgery before radiation therapy. Some women might be subjected to radiation therapy after mastectomy. Treatment is designed depending on shape and size of the tumor. Radiation destroys the cancerous cells that might have remained after the other therapies. Over a period of time radiation damages cancer as well as normal cells however it affects cancer cells more.
Radiation is important as it is able to reduce the recurrence of cancer after surgery. A surgeon cannot guarantee that every last cancer cell is removed by surgery. Any cell that is removed can eventually form a new lump. It’s been scientifically proven that people undergoing radiation therapy are more likely to remain cancer free and tend to live longer. It can be used in treating breast cancer at any stage and even if the cancer has spread to other body parts.
Radiation can be delivered in two different ways: external and internal.
- External radiation:
The radiation is delivered by a linear accelerator from outside the body. Treatment can take several weeks. A patient might have to receive treatment 5 days a week up to several weeks. - Internal radiation:
In this radiation type, radioactive substances are put directly in the breast inside plastic implants. The implants are removed before the patient is discharged from the hospital.
Are there any side effects to Radiotherapy?
Side effects of radiation therapy depend upon the type and dose of radiation. It mostly affects the skin that is exposed to radiation. The exposed area might become red, itchy, tender, dry, and sore and possibly peel. However these changes are gradual and occur only in patches. The breast might feel tight and heavy. Radiation therapy can cause inflammation, permanent pigmentation or burns to the skin. In some case it can cause diarrhoea. It can also decrease the white cells that protect our body from infection which adversely affect the immune system. Towards the completion of the treatment skin might turn moist. It’s recommended to expose this skin to as much air as possible to heal it.
Here are a few tips to lessen the effects of radiation on skin and help it recover after treatment:
a) Wearing loose cotton clothes,
b) Using warm water instead of hot water for showering,
c) Using mild soaps that are less fragrant,
d) Avoid skin to skin contact,
e) Regularly use cornstarch to absorb moisture and minimize friction from breast areas.
f) Use moisturizers like A&D, Aquaphor, Radiacare or Eucerin.
g) Using Aloe Vera help in mild pinkness, burns and itchiness caused to the skin.
h) Apply sun block of SPF30 and above and avoid being exposed to sun.
Radiation therapy is not recommended in following cases:
a) The body part has already undergone radiation before,
b) Patient is also suffering from connective tissue disease like vasculitis or scleroderma. This makes the patient more sensitive towards radiation.
c) Person is pregnant,
d) Daily commitment to the schedule of radiation therapy is not possible.
There are few myths about radiation therapy:
a) It is a painful process: Generally patients do not feel any pain while the machine is
delivering radiation. It’s possible that the skin might become dry, red and itchy over a period of time.
b) The person will become radioactive: This risk is not present in case of external radiation. In case of internal radiation during the treatment, the patient is secluded and kept in a private room in the hospital.
c) Hair loss will occur: Hair loss is a side effect of chemotherapy and not radiation.
The adverse effect of radiation may not be pleasant but it can be treated or controlled. In many cases there are not even permanent. Location and amount of radiation plays an important role in the adverse effect of radiation therapy.
Health & Medicine Power Search: