Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is one of several treatments used to treat cancer by itself or, in combination with other forms of treatment—most often surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation is given either externally, through external beam radiation, or increasingly through internal radiation, also known as brachytherapy. External radiation therapy is administered just like a normal X-ray. The radiation used for external beam radiation treatments however, comes from special machines, such as a linear accelerator, which deliver intense treatments with pinpoint accuracy.

Whole Breast Irradiation is the use of high energy beams of radiation to the breast. Radiation kills cancer cells that might still be present in the breast tissue. In a typical schedule, radiation treatments are administered five days per week over a six-week period, with an additional boost
of energy, or a higher dose of radiation, targeting the area where the cancer was found.

Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue and skin irritations (e.g., itchiness, redness, soreness, peeling, or darkening). Long term effects might also involve changes in the shape, color, and heaviness of the breast.