Breast Cancer Treatment

 

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is commonly used as a complimentary treatment to surgery, chemotherapy and hormone therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Often, radiation to the breast follows lumpectomy, or removal of the cancerous mass from the breast. In some circumstances, EBRT to the chest wall or lymph nodes may follow mastectomy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Most commonly, we use 3D conformal radiation therapy to treat breast cancer. We may use types of beams called photons (x-rays), electrons or a combination. Special measures, such as CT based planning, custom blocking within the machine, and breath hold technique using surface monitoring, are often used to limit dose to surrounding healthy tissues such as the heart and lungs. Treatment delivery is painless and takes 10 minutes or less, 5 days per week, usually over many weeks.