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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffRadiation therapy for breast cancer uses high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells. Rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells, are more susceptible to the effects of radiation therapy than are normal cells.
One of two approaches may be used with radiation therapy for breast cancer:
- External radiation. External beam radiation, the standard type of radiation therapy, delivers radiation in the form of high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, to your entire breast from a machine outside your body. This is the most common type of radiation therapy used for breast cancer.
- Internal radiation. Internal radiation, or brachytherapy, involves placing small radioactive devices in your breast near the tumor site to deliver radiation to affected breast tissue. Internal radiation may be used as an extra radiation boost after external radiation or for small, contained tumors.
Radiation therapy may be used to treat breast cancer at almost every stage. It's an effective way to reduce your risk of breast cancer coming back (recurring) after surgery. It can also help control the spread of breast cancer and offer pain relief for advanced breast cancer.
References
- Breast cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/index. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Pierce LJ. Techniques and complications of breast and chest wall irradiation for early stage breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Sabel MS, et al. Role of radiation therapy in breast conservation therapy. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Pierce LJ. Postmastectomy chest wall irradiation. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Moataz NE, et al. Radiation techniques for locally advanced breast cancer. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Understanding radiation therapy. American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Understanding+Radiation+Therapy. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Radiation therapy and you: Support for people with cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/radiation-therapy-and-you/page1. Accessed July 25, 2010.
- Side effects of radiation therapy. American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Features/Side+Effects/Side+Effects+of+Radiation+Therapy. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Radiation therapy-What to expect. American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Radiation+Therapy%26mdash%3BWhat+to+Expect. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Breast cancer treatment (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/HealthProfessional. Accessed July 23, 2010.
- Brachytherapy. American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=brachy. Accessed July 25, 2010.
- Radiation therapy. Breast Cancer Network of Strength. http://www.networkofstrength.org/information/treatment/radiation.php. Accessed July 25, 2010.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Aug 1, 2010.
- Schomberg PJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Aug 11, 2010.
- Smith BD, et al. Accelerated partial breast irradiation consensus statement from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2009;209:269.
- Vaidya JS, et al. Targeted intraoperative radiotherapy versus whole breast radiotherapy for breast cancer (TARGIT-A trial): an international, prospective, randomised, non-inferiority phase 3 trial. The Lancet. 2010;376:91.
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