Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

This blog article will offer an overview of breast cancer diagnostics as well as strategies for treatment such as radiation therapy for breast cancer. To eradicate cancer cells, radiation treatment for breast cancer utilizes high-energy X-rays, protons, or other particles. Rapidly developing cells, such as cancer cells, are more vulnerable to the effects of radiation treatment. It can also be used for relieving pain and other symptoms associated with advanced breast cancer. In addition, the X-rays or particles are not harmful and are not visible.

Types of radiation therapy for breast cancer

Internal Radiation

Additionally, you’ll consult with your radiotherapy oncologist before receiving any internal radiation. They will: 

• do a physical exam 
• inquire about your medical history 
• go through the details of your internal radiation therapy

The majority of internal radiation, or brachytherapy, is delivered by a catheter. It is a short, flexible tube that is surgically inserted into the empty area left during breast-conserving surgery.

However, there are potential long-term impacts of External beam radiation, such as making your breast smaller and firmer.

• make breastfeeding more difficult o have an impact on reconstruction choices
• affect nerves in your arm

While Internal radiation has fewer adverse effects than external beam radiation. The following are the most prevalent side effects:

• Redness or discoloration, as well as bruising
• breast discomfort 
• infection 
• fatty tissue damage
• fluid pooling in your breast 
• rib weakening and fractures in rare circumstances

External Beam Radiation Therapy

Before beginning treatment with external beam radiation, you will visit your radiation oncologist and a nurse. They will explain what to expect from external beam radiation, as well as both the risks and benefits of this treatment.

The most prevalent kind of radiation treatment for women with breast cancer is EBRT. A machine outside the body directs the radiation to the cancerous region.

The regions that require radiation are determined by whether you underwent a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Possible side effects of external beam radiation:

Although the professionals treating you will do everything necessary to protect healthy cells, it is practically impossible to avoid all damage. When healthy cells are destroyed, adverse effects occur. Fatigue, or feeling fatigued, is the most prevalent adverse effect of radiation treatment. Other negative effects may occur depending on the location of the cells that are damaged and may include:

• Vomiting and nausea.
• Appetite decrease.
• Headaches.
• Loss of hair.
• Difficulties swallowing.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Having difficulty peeing (incontinence).
• Irritation of the skin, including pain and redness.
• Tenderness and irritation at the location of therapy.

Nonetheless, your experience will be one-of-a-kind. Side effects of EBRT may differ between two patients with the same kind of cancer.

External beam radiation types and regimens for breast cancer

• Whole breast radiotherapy

To eliminate breast cancer cells, whole breast radiation treatment employs high-powered X-rays. The radiation treatment is delivered to the whole breast (or chest wall if the breast was removed) with this sort of directed radiation therapy.

Cancer cells proliferate quicker than normal body cells. Because radiation is more dangerous to rapidly expanding cells, radiation treatment harms cancer cells more than normal cells. This stops cancer cells from growing and dividing, resulting in cancer cell death.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is a breast-conserving treatment (BCT) strategy in which radiation (RT) is provided in a shorter length of time than whole breast irradiation (WBI), resulting in increased patient convenience and cost savings. Brachytherapy, intraoperative RT, and conformal external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) can all be used to give APBI.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) uses precise radiation beams to kill cancerous cells in a smaller area of the breast (partial breast) versus the whole breast or chest area. Our doctors deliver the radiation in a shorter (accelerated) course of treatment over a few days instead of several weeks.

APBI may provide advantages over other kinds of radiation therapy, such as: 

• shorter treatment duration 
• reduced radiation exposure 
• less intrusive procedures
• Improved effectiveness in maintaining healthy breast tissue

Several different types of accelerated partial breast irradiation:

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): This method involves administering a single large dose of radiation to the area where the tumor was removed (tumor bed) immediately following BCS (before the breast incision is closed). Though, IORT necessitates specialized equipment that is not readily available.

3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT): The radiation is delivered with particular equipment in this procedure, allowing it to be more precisely targeted to the tumor bed. This saves more of the natural breast tissue around it. Treatments are administered twice daily for 5 days or once daily for 2 weeks.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT): IMRT is similar to 3D-CRT, but it additionally modifies the strength of certain beams in specific regions. This delivers higher dosages to specific areas of the tumor bed, reducing harm to neighboring normal body tissues.

Brachytherapy:

Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy in which radiation-containing seeds, ribbons, or capsules are implanted in your body, in or near the tumor. Brachytherapy is a local treatment that only targets a specific area of your body. It is often used to treat head and neck cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and eye cancer.

How is brachytherapy implemented?

The majority of brachytherapy is delivered through a catheter, which is a tiny, elastic tube. Brachytherapy is sometimes administered using a bigger instrument known as an applicator. The method of brachytherapy application is determined by the type of cancer you have. Before you begin treatment, your doctor will insert the catheter or applicator into your body.

Techniques for placing brachytherapy:

Interstitial brachytherapy is a type of radiation treatment in which the radiation source is put into the tumor. This method is used to treat prostate cancer, for example.

Intracavity brachytherapy is a type of radiation treatment in which the radiation source is implanted into a bodily cavity or a surgically produced cavity. Radiation can be used to treat cervical or endometrial cancer, for example.

The radiation source is linked to the eye in episcleral brachytherapy. This method is used to treat ocular melanoma.

Possible side effects of intracavitary brachytherapy

Some brachytherapy adverse effects occur during or shortly after treatment and normally improve after approximately 2 weeks. If you are undergoing brachytherapy following chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiation), you may already be fatigued and ill, so knowing what more to expect may be helpful.

The most prevalent short-term negative effects of brachytherapy are given below.

• Sore skin in the treatment region 
• Tiredness 
• Bowel changes 
• Bladder changes 
• Pain o Changes to your vagina 
• Less common brachytherapy side effects

It is critical to inform your healthcare workers about your symptoms and how you are feeling. This might be the medical facility’s team or your primary care physician. They will be able to evaluate you and maybe send you to an expert.