Breast Cancer - Other Treatment

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It lowers the risk of your cancer coming back in the breast or chest wall. Radiation therapy is used after breast-conserving surgery and sometimes after mastectomy, depending on how advanced the breast cancer is at the time of surgery.

The way radiation therapy is given will depend on the type and stage of your cancer. It may be given 5 days each week for up to 6 weeks. Sometimes larger doses are given over a shorter period of time. This is called accelerated breast irradiation. Radiation therapy also may be combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

The most common way to give radiation therapy is called external beam radiation. This method of treatment exposes the skin on the chest and under the arm to a carefully focused beam of radiation. You will not be able to see the radiation, but your skin will look slightly sunburned in the treated area (called the radiation field). Small marks are tattooed onto the skin to help identify the radiation area.

Sometimes tiny radioactive pellets are placed in or near the tumor site. This is called brachytherapy, internal radiation, or interstitial radiation. Giving an extra boost of radiation near where the tumor was removed may help keep the breast cancer from returning to that area.

Brachytherapy is often used with external beam radiation.

Side effects

Radiation therapy can cause many side effects. Your breast may swell and feel heavy. Fatigue is common, especially toward the end of your treatment and for several weeks afterward. For some women, fatigue can last a long time after treatment.

Be patient. It can take time to fully recover. Balancing rest with activity is important. Try to match your activities to your energy levels. Making the effort to be physically active can lift your mood and help you feel better. It can also help with your blood counts and anemia during radiation treatment. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. Walk with a friend to help you stick to a routine while you get added support.

The skin on your breast and under your arm may become red, dry, tender, and itchy. Toward the end of treatment, the skin may become moist and "weepy." These effects are temporary, and the area will gradually heal when treatment is completed. Expose the area to air as much as possible to help the skin heal. Some types of clothing may rub the skin and cause irritation, so you may want to wear loose-fitting cotton clothes. You may feel more comfortable if you do not wear a bra until your skin heals.

Possible long-term effects

Radiation treatment can cause long-lasting fatigue. It may also cause a weakness in the ribs, which could possibly lead to a fracture. In the past, radiation effects on the heart and lungs after breast cancer treatment was a problem, but modern methods allow better focus of the radiation. There also is a very rare cancer (angiosarcoma) that can result from radiation therapy.

Complementary therapy

People sometimes use complementary therapies along with medical treatment to help relieve symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments. Some of the complementary therapies that may be helpful include:

Before you try a complementary therapy, talk to your doctor about the possible value and potential side effects. Let your doctor know if you are already using any such therapies.

Complementary therapies are not meant to take the place of standard medical treatment, but they may improve your quality of life and help you deal with the stress and side effects of cancer treatment.

Clinical trials

You may be interested in participating in research studies called clinical trials. Clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat cancer patients and are based on the most up-to-date information. Women who want to help with breast cancer research and those who are not cured using standard treatments may want to participate in clinical trials. These are ongoing in most parts of the United States and in some other countries for all stages of breast cancer.

Check with your doctor to see whether clinical trials are available in your area and whether you might be eligible.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: October 22, 2009
Medical Review: Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology

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