Questions About Cancer

The most common form of radiation is external beam radiation therapy. In this type of treatment, the beams from one machine to focus specifically on the area to be treated. Radiotherapists trace marks on the skin indicating the places to which should be directed rays. Radiotherapy is a painless, but it requires to stay perfectly still for several minutes while administering the radiation. Patients with breast cancer treated with radiation therapy, should also maintain the arm in the correct position during treatment-which can be somewhat uncomfortable. External radiotherapy does not make a person radioactive, so there is no problem when other people are around once the radiation therapy session.

Sometimes after a lumpectomy, radiation therapy is internal rather than external. Internal radiation therapy involves the application of radioactive material contained in a thin metal wires or tubes that are implanted within the breast during a minor operation. These implants are then removed after a short period of time without leaving any other radioactive material. This type of radiation therapy requires hospitalization.

The radiation treatment for breast cancer may cause some side effects such as flushing, nausea, fatigue definition and definition. These side effects usually disappear once the treatment, although the fatigue may continue for some months. It is important that you talk to your doctor if you experience nausea or fatigue, as there is treatment in both cases (see also the guidance of symptoms that include on this website).