RADIATION THERAPY FOR BREAST CANCER
A Patient’s Guide to Understanding Treatment

Partial Breast Irradiation

Doctors are studying ways to deliver radiation to only part of the breast.

• These techniques, used after a lumpectomy to deliver radiation to the tumor site rather than the entire breast, are available in a few clinics for a very select group of patients.
• Breast brachytherapy involves placing flexible plastic tubes called catheters or a balloon connected to a brachytherapy machine into the breast. Over one to five days, high doses of radiation are delivered through the catheters or the balloon to treat the nearby breast tissue.
• Other techniques include 3-D conformal partial breast irradiation and intra-operative radiation therapy (IORT).
• The long-term results of these techniques are still being determined. Talk with your radiation oncologist for more information.

After Mastectomy Radiation

Following surgical removal of the breast, your doctor may suggest radiation therapy for the chest wall and nearby lymph node areas.

• The use of radiation therapy after removal of the breast depends on several factors, including the number of lymph nodes involved, tumor size and surgical margins.

Other Treatments

Chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy are often suggested.

• In some cases, chemotherapy may be recommended to help keep the cancer from coming back.
• Sometimes, treatment with a drug to block the effects of estrogen and progesterone may be suggested.
• These decisions are usually made after discussions with a medical oncologist, another valuable member of your treatment team.

Learning About Clinical Trials

Current standard radiation therapy treatments are a result of studies called clinical trials completed many years ago. The radiation oncology team is constantly exploring new ways to treat people with breast cancer through ongoing clinical trials. For more information, please contact the following organizations:

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials

National Surgical Adjuvant Bowel and Breast Project
www.nsabp.pitt.edu

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
www.rtog.org

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