
Radiation therapy for breast cancer is delivered to the affected breast and lymph nodes under the arm or at the collarbone to destroy mutated cells that may persist after surgery.
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays or radiation (protons or other particles) to kill cancer cells.
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation, such as high-energy X-rays or particles, to treat cancer. It damages cancer cells’ DNA, keeps them from growing and dividing, and minimizes damage to healthy cells.
For most people, radiation begins three to four weeks after surgery to destroy undetectable cancer cells and reduce the risk of relapse (cancer recurring in the affected breast).
Radiation therapy is a painless procedure and an effective way to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurring after surgery by approximately 50 percent.
In addition, it is commonly used to ease the symptoms caused by cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer) or improve the quality of life.
What are the types of radiation therapy?
The two predominant types of radiation therapy used to treat breast cancer are:
- External beam breast cancer radiation
- The most used for any type of breast cancer.
- A large machine (linear accelerator) uses highly focused external beam radiation, such as X-rays, to target the cancerous area for two to three minutes five days a week for up to five or six weeks.
- Can be used simultaneously with some treatments after surgery, such as hormone therapy or HER2-targeted therapy.
- Further divided into subtypes:
- Whole breast radiation: Entire breast receives high-powered X-rays to kill breast cancer cells.
- Accelerated partial breast irradiation:
- Intraoperative radiation therapy: The entire course of radiation is delivered at one time during breast cancer surgery.
- 3D-conformal radiotherapy: Helps direct radiation beams to conform the tumor shape. It spares normal breast tissues in the surroundings.
- Intensity-modulated radiotherapy: An advanced type of radiation that delivers precise radiation to a tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissue.
- Lymph node radiation (chest wall radiation): Targets the lymph nodes in the breast and chest wall to kill any cancer cells that might present in the nearby lymph nodes.
- Brachytherapy or internal breast cancer radiation
- Uses devices containing radioactive seeds or pellets, which are placed into the affected breast tissue for a short time.
- Further divided into:
- Intracavitary brachytherapy: An applicator with a radioactive substance is placed at or near the site of tumor removal (body cavity).
- Interstitial brachytherapy: Devices containing radioactive material are placed within the breast tissue to destroy cancer cells.

SLIDESHOW
Breast Cancer Awareness: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment See SlideshowWho is prescribed radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy can be a part of the treatment regimen for people with:
- Stage 0 cancer
- Stage I invasive cancer or higher
- A history of lumpectomy
Radiation therapy is used in situations, such as:
- After breast-conserving surgery
- Before surgery
- When surgery is not an option
- After a mastectomy
- If cancer has spread to other parts of the body (bones, spinal cord, or brain)
Radiation therapy is not a safe option for pregnant individuals.
What are the potential side effects of radiation therapy?
The intensity and frequency of side effects of radiation therapy may vary among people. They often include:
- Skin reactions, such as:
- Breast swelling heaviness
- Changes in the shape, size, and color of the breast
- Painful breast
- Rib tenderness
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Hair loss in the armpit
- Sore throat
- Lymphedema
In some rare cases, radiation therapy can increase the risk of:
- Rib fracture
- Chest wall tenderness
- Inflamed lung tissue (radiation pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis)
- Heart damage (cardiotoxicity, atherosclerosis arrhythmias, and heart valve disease)
- Nerve damage to the arms and shoulders (brachial plexopathy)
- Secondary cancer (bone, muscle, or lung cancer)
Health News
- What Is Avascular Necrosis and How Does It Affect Bones?
- The Arch of the Human Foot Was Key to Upright Walking, Scientists Say
- Worried About Cataracts? Here's What You Need to Know
- FDA Issues Warning About Compounded Versions of Wegovy, Ozempic
- Sick Restaurant Workers Fuel Many Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
More Health News »
Can you prevent side effects from breast cancer radiation?
Though the issues caused by radiation therapy usually go away soon, a lasting change in the color of the skin could persist longer.
Here are a few tips to deal with the most common side effects of radiation:
- Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes while in radiation therapy
- Avoid using any deodorants, lotions, or creams on the treated area
- Avoid scratching or rubbing the area
- Use only an electric razor to shave the treated area
- Avoid exposure of the treated area to extreme heat or cold
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
- Avoid consuming vitamin supplements, such as vitamins C, A, D, and E
- Take good care of yourself by getting plenty of rest and eating a good nutritional diet
- Routine exercise can reduce the degree of fatigue caused by radiation therapy
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Radiation Therapy. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-radiation-therapy
Radiation for Breast Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/radiation-for-breast-cancer.html
Radiation Therapy. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation-therapy
Breast Cancer: Types of Treatment. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/types-treatment
Top Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Related Articles
Breast Cancer Slides
Learn about breast cancer causes, symptoms, tests, recovery, and prevention. Discover the types of treatments such as surgery and drug therapies as well as the survival rate for breast cancer.Breast Reconstruction
After a mastectomy, breast reconstruction is performed to replace the skin, breast tissue, and the nipple. A patient's goals, medical conditions, cancer treatment, and previous surgery affect the type and timing of the reconstructive surgery.Fatigue and Exhaustion
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases, for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, and drug abuse.Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
Is Adenocarcinoma an Aggressive Cancer?
Adenocarcinoma happens when cells in the glands that line organs grow out of control. They may spread to other places and harm healthy organs. Adenocarcinoma in different organs manifests differently, so some are more aggressive than others.Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a condition in which one or more extremities become swollen as the result of an impaired flow of the lymphatic system. There are two types of lymphedema: primary and secondary. Filariasis is the most common cause of lymphedema worldwide. In the U.S., breast cancer surgery is the most common cause. Symptoms include swelling of one or more limbs, cracked and thickening skin, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. There is no cure for lymphedema.Male Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's risk of developing breast cancer is one in 1,000. Signs and symptoms include a firm mass located below the nipple and skin changes around the nipple, including puckering, redness or scaling, retraction and ulceration of the nipple. Treatment depends upon staging and the health of the patient.Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a surgical procedure used on patients who have difficulty swallowing. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is generally performed in an outpatient facility or hospital. Possible complications with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) include infection or leakage of the liquid diet fed through the tube.Understanding Pericarditis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardial sac that surrounds the heart. The causes of pericarditis include injury from heart attack, heart surgery, trauma, viral or fungal infection, HIV, tumors, mixed connective tissue disease, metabolic disease, medication reactions, or unknown reasons. Treatment for pericarditis is generally medication, however, sometimes surgery is necessary.Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer-fighting technique. In radiation therapy, a radiation oncologist uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing. The two types of radiation therapy are external and internal. Potential side effects of radiation therapy include:- tiredness,
- rash,
- skin redness,
- permanent pigmentation,
- scarring,
- diarrhea, and
- a reduction in white blood cells.
What Are the Side Effects of Stereotactic Radiosurgery?
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a radiation treatment that uses focused delivery of radiation in high doses to precise locations in the body. It is used to treat certain tumors and other abnormalities of the brain, spine, neck, lungs, liver, etc. This non-invasive approach helps spare healthy tissue while treating hard-to-reach areas.Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is more common in Hispanic and African-American women. Signs and symptoms include a lump in the armpit or breast, nipple discharge and inversion, and changes in the breast's skin. Treatment may incorporate surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.