Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (Radiation therapy) is a form of treatment using X-rays and, like surgery, is used to achieve local tumor control. Radiotherapy is administered to three out of every four cancer patients. Radiotherapy is used before or after surgery, as a curative treatment alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy/systemic therapy.

Who is Suitable for?

If breast-conserving surgery is chosen, radiotherapy to the remaining breast tissue is essential. Radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of tumor recurrence.

If a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) has been performed, radiotherapy is contingent on certain criteria (e.g., the tumor must be attached to the chest wall or breast skin, there must be more than four positive lymph nodes in the armpit, etc.)

When is it Used?

Radiotherapy should be administered within 6 months following breast surgery. Further delays reduce the chances of success.

If chemotherapy is being administered at this time, it is either waited for it to finish or chemotherapy is interrupted with radiotherapy, and then chemotherapy is continued.

How Does It Work?

Radiation therapy damages the genetic material of cells in the treated area, preventing them from growing and multiplying. Some cells die immediately after the radiation is directly affected. Other cells lose their ability to proliferate due to damage to their chromosomes and DNA. Radiation therapy damages both cancer cells and normal cells. Most normal tissues recover after treatment.

What are the side effects?

In patients whose axillary lymph nodes have been removed, the risk of arm swelling (lymphedema) increases if radiotherapy is required in this area.

Pregnant women are not recommended to receive radiotherapy due to the risk of harming the unborn baby.

Partial radiotherapy

Today, in a carefully selected group of patients, radiotherapy can be administered only to the entire breast area rather than the entire breast. This procedure can be performed after surgery or during surgery (intraoperative radiotherapy).