Radiotherapy

What is Radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy involves the delivery of ionizing radiation, also called “rays” or “radiation”. These rays will destroy the cancer cells. The areas targeted by the rays are the breast and sometimes certain lymph nodes close to the breast (in the chest or under the collarbone). The treatment is extremely precise in order to be both effective and avoid side effects on healthy tissue.

Radiotherapy uses very high technology equipment, computerized and constantly monitored. All the parameters of the treatment are calculated before the beginning of the sessions from a scanner that will be in the same position as for a radiation session, and all the sessions will be delivered in exactly the same way.

The preparation is specific to each patient: it is therefore not possible to change devices or radiotherapy centers during the treatment.

The treatment usually lasts from 3 to 6 weeks with 5 weekly sessions, depending on the protocol. Each session lasts less than five minutes.

Indications for radiotherapy

After conservative treatment, radiation of the mammary gland is always performed, as it reduces the risk of local recurrence. On the other hand, after a mastectomy, radiotherapy is not systematic. It is only indicated in case of a higher risk of local recurrence (lymph node involvement, large or aggressive tumor…).

Radiotherapy is also used to treat certain brain or bone  metastases. As with breast cancer, radiation therapy for metastases can be used to treat these areas in a targeted manner with radiation techniques adapted to each situation.

Side effects of radiation therapy

The consequences of radiation therapy to the breast are minimal. Radiation therapy is a local treatment, you will not lose your hair or have any “general” side effects of the treatment (on areas other than the breast). Since the radiation is applied to an external organ, it is remarkably well tolerated. In terms of general condition, women sometimes describe fatigue, which may be increased by the travel involved in radiation therapy.

There are often temporary effects on the skin such as sunburn. However, as with sun exposure, there is a great deal of variability in sensitivity to radiation among women.