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Radiation Therapy
Breast-Preserving Surgery and Radiation Therapy of Early Stage Breast Cancer Radiation treatment of local tissues of the body, known as radiotherapy, can destroy cancer cells while producing minimal injury to surrounding tissues. Radiation therapy is most commonly used in conjunction with a lumpectomy. Radiation to the breast does not cause hair loss. After a patient has sufficiently healed from a lumpectomy (2 weeks after surgery for many women) radiation treatment will begin. Treatment usually consists of a few minutes each day, four or five days a week, for approximately six to seven weeks. Following this, some patients will need a radiation "boost" to the surgical site. This can be accomplished by continuing treatment for approximately one to two weeks with external radiation or temporary placement of radioactive seeds (implants) in the breast at the biopsy site/lumpectomy. Radiation Therapy as a Supplement (Adjuvant) to Mastectomy Following a mastectomy, examination of the surgical specimen by the pathologist may show that all of the cancer cells were not completely removed. Postoperative radiation therapy may be recommended in this instance, particularly if the cancer is large or if the cancer has spread beyond the tumor that was removed. Radiation therapy usually controls cancer cells remaining in these areas. Treatment usually consists of a few minutes each day, four or five days a week, for approximately six to seven weeks. Following this regimen, some patients will need a radiation ìboostî to the surgical site. This can be accomplished by continuing treatment for approximately one to two weeks with external radiation or temporary placement of radioactive seeds (implants) in the breast at the biopsy/mastectomy site. Last Updated: 02/12/2003 |
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