Radiation therapy and chemotherapy is used as an adjunct to surgery to improve the changes in the cure of cancer. Radiation therapy involves exposing the tumor and some lymph sinuses related to several sessions of radiation.
Chemotherapy uses drugs, usually administered intravenously, which act on cancer cells. All these treatments are not used consistently; every breast cancer is unique and requires a treatment tailored according to each situation.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a treatment designed to reduce the risk of local recurrence of cancer. Radiation therapy is routinely after a lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery).
By contrast, another thing is when the entire breast has been removed (mastectomy). In this case essentially is indicated when a tumor is larger or if it is located on the inside of the breast, or if there are many nodes in the armpit, affected by cancer cells.
Radiation therapy consists of sending X-rays on a limited area, such as breast, lymph nodes in the armpit, or chest wall. These x-rays damage DNA in the nucleus of cancer cells. They cannot get much bigger and end up dying.
Today we use two types of radiation therapy. The radiation therapy called “external” is done with a device that emits rays from the body. The curiterapia involves placing a radioactive iridium wires directly into the tumor or in the starting area when it was removed.
Curiterapia are used to manage the additional dose level of the scar, an area seen as potential relapse risk.