External beam radiation therapy uses doses of radiation to kill cancer cells. A beam of radiation is aimed at the tumor from outside the body. This treatment is given to most people with early-stage breast cancer who choose breast-conserving surgery such as lumpectomy.
How long the treatment takes
Many people with early breast cancers are treated with radiation 5 days a week for about 3 weeks. This treatment schedule is called "hypofractionated." Some people are treated for a longer period of time. Talk with your doctor about which schedule is right for you. It will depend on:
- The type of breast cancer you have.
- Any other health problems.
- Your preference.
Radiation therapy is used to destroy any trace of cancer cells that might remain in the body after surgery. It is given to most people with early-stage breast cancer who choose breast-conserving surgery such as lumpectomy. It may also be given after a mastectomy if there's a high risk of the cancer coming back.
Radiation therapy works well to keep cancer from coming back in early-stage breast cancer.
External beam radiation works well to destroy cancer cells, but it can also harm normal cells. This can lead to side effects.
The most common short-term side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer are:
- Feeling very tired (fatigue).
- Skin changes in the treated area. The skin may be red, dry, and sore. Toward the end of treatment, the skin may become moist and "weepy."
- Swelling in the treated breast.
Most short-term side effects will go away within a few weeks after you finish treatment. But it may take longer to get your energy back.
Some side effects may occur months or years after radiation therapy. These long-term side effects may include:
- Changes in skin texture where you had radiation.
- Numbness in your arm from nerve damage.
- Swelling in the arm (lymphedema) if lymph nodes in the armpit were treated.
- In rare cases, heart or lung problems.
- Very rarely, a second cancer.
Current as of: October 25, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
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