Radiation is used to kill cancerous cells in the breast
In addition to surgery, radiation is sometimes used to target a tumor.
Radiation kills cancer with high-energy rays such as X-rays. There are 2 main types
of radiation therapy,
external beam radiation and
brachytherapy.
More common than brachytherapy, external beam radiation is focused on the area of
the body affected by cancer. The treatment itself is painless and continues for
about 6 weeks. However, as the radiation therapy goes on, the treated
skin may develop sunburn-like changes, and the breast may become swollen. These
changes usually go away 6 months to 1 year after treatment.
With brachytherapy to treat breast cancer, radioactive pellets called "seeds" are
placed in the breast tissue next to the tumor. This approach may be used along with
external beam radiation.
Depending on the type of brachytherapy administered, the seeds are either inserted
for a short time, then removed, or left in place for several days.
Find out about advanced
breast cancer treatments