RADIATION THERAPY

Radiation therapy is targeted local treatment of your cancer field. It eliminates any cancer cell that is left in and around where your tumor was located. It has been shown that a woman who receives radiation greatly  improves her chance of living recurrence free.

Radiation treatments have limited side effects and some women get them and some don’t. The biggest drawback is the fact that you have to go every day, five days a week , Monday through Friday, with the weekend off, for as long as 8 weeks.

Note: The treatments themselves last for only a minute or so and do not hurt.     

    Before your first treatment you will be mapped. What this entails is an x-ray or a CT scan that shows the doctor where your lungs and heart are. They measure to see exactly where they need to point the beam in order to avoid those organs. You will be  marked  with small, permanent tattoos that look like dots on your skin. 

The actual treatment is really very easy.  You lie on a table that has a large machine above it. The technician makes sure the marks on your body match up with the machine and then they leave the room and turn on the radiation. This takes only a moment. You then get up and go on with the rest of your day.

The seeds give off a slow, continuous dose of radiation. It is being studied to see if this method of delivery is better than external radiation. It certainly is more targeted.

Implanted radiation is  known as  "brachytherapy", which means “short distance,”  referring to the fact that the radiation is placed in close proximity to the cancer site itself. This means that no healthy tissue or organs are affected.  The seeds that hold the  radioactive material,  once in place, are highly targeted and very precise.

For advanced disease, there is another emerging therapy— Targeted therapy— that protects vital organs and healthy tissue. This  is radiation therapy given with the assistance of a CT Scan machine. Computer Tomography, which is what CT scan stands for, uses its ability to view the body’s internal organs in three dimension to find  the exact location of the tumor. Then, with  precise measurements pinpointed, 360 degree beams of radiation are given to the tumor alone, and nothing else is affected. Even breathing does not affect the accuracy of this technique. This is cutting edge radiation treatment.

 
              External Radiation’s Worst Side Effect

With traditional external radiation, some women get burns. They range from a slight tingling sensation to blisters and peeling. There are several creams that help this. Aloe Vera used to be the only cream recommended. However, its helpfulness is extremely limited.  Ask your radiation oncologist about the more advanced creams before your radiation even begins. One highly recommended cream is  Biafine RE cream.

Biafine was first invented for the United States Armed forces to combat the effects of radiation that may be encountered during modern warfare. It was then discovered that it combats the effects of radiation that is encountered during modern warfare against cancer. It actually reduces and often prevents burning from radiation therapy if it is started first prophylactically  and used daily.

Another good option is an excellent burn cream called  Silvadene. It works very well too.

 If you do get burned, there are things you can do. Your radiologist’s office will be able to give you gel pads to put on your burned areas.  If they do not stock them ask for a prescription.

It is important to be comfortable during this time, and wearing a bra may not fall into that category. Cotton is really the least irritating next to your skin.

Important Medical Note: If you have a collagen vascular disease such as Lupus, Scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis, then radiation must be avoided. It can result  in scarring as well as skin ulcerations. Your doctor will know which is the best course for you.