Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that uses radiation beams to treat cancer. It is usually an important component of breast cancer treatment, combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy is a safe and effective use of high-energy x-rays to kill or shrink cancer cells, while preserving the normal, surrounding tissue. It is often an option for someone who has early stage breast cancer (in the form of SBRT, see below), as well as for those with more advanced cancers. In the case where cancer has spread, radiation therapy can also help to relieve symptoms.
Radiation oncology offers different modalities of treatment:
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
- Fractionated Intensity-Modulated RadioTherapy (IMRT)
- 3-Dimentional Conformal RadioTherapy (3DCRT)
A radiation oncologist who specializes in breast cancer evaluates each patient to determine the best course of treatment for the individual.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
This treatment uses a highly focused sharp radiation beam that targets only the tumor with increased accuracy within one millimeter. Therefore, an intense dose is given to the breast tumor itself in 2 to 5 sessions. When it is given in a single session, it is also known as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS).
SBRT and SRS are completely noninvasive treatments and performed while the person is awake. SBRT is also used to treat breast cancer for those who may not be able to have surgery, and the long-term result is excellent for tumor control and cosmetic outcome. The treatment is focused on the tumor, so the chance of causing complications is minimal. SBRT is also used to treat several isolated metastasis from breast cancer with excellent results.
Intensity-Modulated RadioTherapy (IMRT) or 3-Dimensional Conformal RadioTherapy (3DCRT)
This treatment is used for more advanced breast cancers, usually combined with chemotherapy. Because of the advanced stage of the tumor, the treatment includes the whole breast that has the cancer and the lymph nodes. The treatment is given in small radiation doses daily for a period of time, usually about 5-6 weeks, and is often referred to as fractionated radiotherapy. In order to make the treatment conform to the tumor’s 3-dimensional shape (known as 3-D treatment) and have the treatment distributed evenly to the selected tumor and lymph node area, the radiation beam is highly manipulated, which is why it is called intensity-modulated. As a result, the precise therapy minimizes any potential complications.
For more information about the Department of Radiation Oncology, click here.