Radiation therapy is one of the most popular methods of breast cancer treatment, however it has evolved tremendously over the years.
Radiation therapy comes in two basic types: internal or external.
Radiation treatments that are external are done using a highly focused, high energy beam of light utilized to annihilate cancer cells and their surrounding tissue. The beam of light can not be seen with your eyes but it can pass through your skin because it is semi-transparent. Cancer cells are composed differently, therefore they react differently to treatments.
Healthy cells that are located within the path of the radiation are affected by it. As cancer cells actively divide and grow in abnormal ways the way they function is easily interrupted. They could potentially absorb a greater percentage of radiation than healthy cells do. The energy works to kill the cancer cells. The beam also aids in destroying the blood vessels generated by the cancer to feed itself. These vessels are located around the tumor.
Internal radiation therapy is sometimes referred to as brachyytherapy. It is more like chemotherapy. Instead of using drugs to affect a chemical change a tiny amount of radioactive material is implanted within the body. The material then ejects radiation that targets cancerous cells, destroying them from the inside.
Internal radiation therapy is much less common. But, as with any treatment regimen, when and how it is used is determined after discussion with a specialist.
Radiation therapy is often used as a precursor or adjunct treatment, accompanying other methods. After a modified mastectomy, for example, an oncologist may recommend a course of radiation treatments lasting six to eight weeks.
The goal of radiation therapy is to ensure that any cancerous cells that could not be removed by the surgeon are destroyed by radiation. It is a treatment that is less intense because utilizing radiation to completely kill cancer would require longer and higher doses.
Sometimes radiation treatments might accompany chemotherapy. Because each individual situation is unique both the oncologist and the patient will work together to determine the best treatment method. In some cases radiation treatments are used to relieve symptoms without expecting the cancer to be cured.
Even though the beam of light emitted through radiation is intense the treatments themselves are painless. Radiation treatments do have horrible side effects.
Radiation treatments can produce fatigue, particularly in the later stages of treatment. Treatments are often given five days a week for several weeks, sometimes twice per day. In these cases, the fatigue can last for a few weeks or longer after treatment ends.
Problematic skin is a fairly common side effect. Because radiation is absorbed by some of the breast tissue an individual might experience redness, soreness, and itching. They might notice decreased sensation on and about the breast, under the arm and even nearby areas. Radiation doesn’t cause hair loss unless it is applied directly to the head, which typically isn’t the case during breast cancer treatment.
In cases that are more severe the immune system might be compromised, especially if radiation is being applied to an individual’s lymph nodes. Lymph nodes and the vessels that connect to them and run through the body are a vital part of the immune system and radiation can potentially work to decrease their level of effectiveness.
Fortunately radiation side effects are usually pretty short. Except for in extreme instances lymph nodes, organs, and other bodily functions and components are not destroyed completely or harmed beyond repair during the course of radiation treatment. Their function, however, could be hindered for a period of time but the body is capable of quickly recovering.
