Description
Early stage breast cancer is the disease which is confined to the breast with or without the involvement of regional lymph nodes and the absence of distant metastatic disease.Radiation therapy kills cancer cells. It’s generally used after surgery to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence.It also provides relief from pain and other symptoms of advanced breast cancer.
Résumé
- Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in breast cancer management, particularly in early-stage disease. It's often used as adjuvant therapy following surgery, either after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy. Different techniques, such as whole-breast irradiation, partial-breast irradiation, or post-mastectomy radiation, are employed depending on the specific circumstances.
- The sequencing of treatments typically involves surgery followed by chemotherapy, and then radiation therapy. Adjuvant hormonal therapy and targeted therapy might be added based on specific tumor characteristics. Radiation aims to eradicate any remaining cancer cells locally and regionally, while systemic therapies target potential distant spread.
- Several advancements have emerged in radiation therapy, including intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), deep inspiratory breath-hold (DIBH) techniques, and hypofractionation. DIBH helps reduce radiation exposure to the heart and lungs, particularly important in left-sided breast cancers. Hypofractionation involves delivering higher doses per fraction, shortening the overall treatment time.
- Brachytherapy is a localized radiation technique involving the insertion of radioactive sources directly into or near the tumor bed. It is suitable for early-stage, small tumors where partial breast irradiation is appropriate. Proton therapy, although expensive and less widely available, offers the advantage of precise dose delivery with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- While radiation therapy is generally well-tolerated, potential side effects include skin changes, fibrosis, lymphedema, and cardiac complications. Advanced techniques like IMRT, proton therapy, and DIBH are employed to minimize these risks. The decision regarding radiation therapy is often complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach, considering individual patient factors and tumor characteristics.
Exemple de certificat
À propos des intervenants
Dr Pradeep Kumar Karumanchi
Consultant Radiation OncologistYashoda Hospitals.
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