Breast cancer is treated by a team of cancer specialists including a surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. Our radiation oncologist works closely with the medical oncologists and breast surgeons as part of a comprehensive breast cancer treatment program.
The goal of all radiation therapy is to give the tumor a lethal dose of radiation while limiting the exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. When treating with radiation, sophisticated dose calculations are made in order to contour the shape and intensity of the beam precisely to the targeted area. Radiation is a painless treatment and side effects are localized to the treatment area.
Women with early-stage (0 though Stage II) breast cancers may be treated with some radiation soon after a lumpectomy or mastectomy to destroy any remaining cancer cells. For more advanced breast cancer (Stages III and IV), radiation therapy is usually one of several cancer treatments given and may be given before and/or after surgery to remove the tumor.
Breast Reconstruction After Radiation Therapy
For patients who receive radiation after surgery, breast reconstruction is usually best left until the radiation treatments are complete. This avoids any unnecessary impact on your healthy breast tissue and any breast implants. It can also make it more difficult to target that area of the breast. Your oncology team will recommend when they feel you’re far enough along in recovery to undergo breast reconstruction surgery.
Types of Radiation Therapy Used for Breast Cancer
There are two main types of radiation therapy that are used to treat breast cancer: external beam and internal radiation therapy. The type of radiation therapy that you may have depends on various factors including your age, the type of surgery you had, the stage of your breast cancer, and whether it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of your body.
External Beam Breast Cancer Radiation
With external beam radiation, the radiation is delivered outside the body by a linear accelerator. Prior to treatment, you will go through a planning session called a CT simulation, which will help identify areas where treatment is needed. The CT images also identify the areas that need to be protected. Our radiation oncology specialists, Dr. Ankit Agarwal and Dr. John Shumway, along with their team, will design and calculate a treatment plan tailored to your anatomy and the specifics of your breast cancer.
At Silicon Valley Oncology, patients receive external radiation therapy during short outpatient visits over several weeks. The treated area typically includes the entire breast and possibly the draining lymph nodes. Often, it is then followed by treatment targeted to the lumpectomy cavity or mastectomy scar. Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) may be used, ensuring that the radiation is delivered precisely every time. Your radiation oncology team will also check the progress of the shrinking tumor after each round of radiation therapy.
Possible Side Effects of External Beam Radiation Therapy
Side effects from radiation treatment can vary, but there are some common side effects to watch for and talk to your oncologist and radiation technician who you will see often. They can often help you with treating the side effects and minimizing their effects.
Common side effects of external radiation for breast cancer include:
Mild to moderate fatigue
Tenderness to the touch, especially in the area where the radiation beam is pointed
Skin irritation such as red, dry, tender, or itchy skin similar to a sunburn
Swelling, which may give your breast a “heavy” feeling
What to Expect at your Initial Consultation
At the time of consultation, our radiation oncologists will review your records, X-rays, scans and other test results and perform a physical examination. They may decide that additional tests are needed and will discuss that with you. The radiation oncology nurse will work closely with you and the radiation oncologist during the initial consultation. If Dr. Ankit Agarwal or Dr. John Shumway believe that you will benefit from radiation therapy, a treatment plan will be presented to you during the consultation, based on the results of the evaluation.
Starting Daily Treatments
Most radiation treatments are given five times a week, Monday through Friday. Radiation therapists, who are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), administer the daily treatment under the supervision of the radiation oncologist. They record and document treatment progress and run tests on the treatment machines daily to ensure that they are working properly.
Care During Treatment
Most people undergoing radiation treatment are able to continue with their normal activities. Some may need to adjust their level of activity temporarily during treatment if recommended. Patients are encouraged to check with their doctor before starting any exercise or fitness program during this time. Good nutrition during therapy is essential to promote healing and recovery and the oncology nurse or nutritionist can help determine the best approach. The patient is weighed regularly during radiation therapy to monitor health and any weight loss. Patients should do their best to eat a normal, well-balanced diet with three or more regular meals. Smaller, more frequent meals and snacks may also be suggested. Patients should also consult with their doctor about the use of multivitamins and other dietary supplements. Nutrition information is also available through the oncology nurse.
Post Treatment Care and Ongoing
Once you have finished a course of treatment, follow up care instructions will be reviewed and you will return for follow-up appointments. These may involve blood work or imaging to determine the outcome of the treatment. Due to the multidisciplinary team approach used to treat cancer patients, other physicians may also be involved in your follow-up care (i.e. medical oncologist, other specialists, surgeon and primary care physician).
Radiation Therapy in Campbell, California
Located conveniently in Silicon Valley, near San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Robertsville, you won’t need to go to a hospital for treatment or deal with hospital parking for outpatient procedures.