This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by
Sean Cavanaugh, MD, Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology at CTCA.
This page was updated on May 5, 2022.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells. Breast cancer patients may receive one or a combination of radiation therapies that fit into two basic categories:
Radiation therapy is typically recommended for breast cancer patients after a tumor or breast lump has been removed, to kill microscopic cancer cells that may have been left behind. Radiation therapy may also be used in combination with other therapies, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. The length of radiation therapy treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the type of therapy used and the stage of the disease.
The most common type of radiation therapy for breast cancer, EBRT is generally given after other treatments are complete.
In EBRT, a beam of radiation, a high-energy X-ray, is focused on the spot where the cancer was removed. If a lumpectomy was performed, a patient may receive EBRT to the entire breast, a technique called whole-breast radiation. EBRT may also be delivered to nearby lymph nodes. Some advantages of EBRT for breast cancer patients may include:
The types of EBRT include:
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): Advanced software is used to plan a precise dose of radiation to the area where a tumor was removed. A computer-controlled device called a linear accelerator delivers radiation in sculpted doses that match the 3-D geometrical shape of the target, including concave and complex shapes.
Advantages of IMRT for breast cancer may include:
IMRT breast cancer radiation therapy may be used in conjunction with other treatments. It may be an appropriate option for those who have previously had breast cancer radiation therapy and are experiencing recurrent tumors in the treated area.
This breast radiation therapy delivers focused radiation specifically to the part of the breast where the tumor was removed.
Some advantages of APBI for breast cancer may include:
Types of APBI include:
High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy: This type of internal radiation therapy delivers radiation from implants placed close to, or inside, the tumor(s) in the body.
Advantages of HDR brachytherapy for breast cancer may include:
AccuBoost®: This breast-conservation therapy delivers a targeted dose of radiation directly to the tissue surrounding the tumor bed. Potential advantages of AccuBoost for breast cancer include:
Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT):
Radiation therapy for breast cancer may cause short-term or long-term side effects. Short term side effects of internal or external beam radiation include:
Other long-term side effects of radiation for breast cancer include:
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