The main aim of radiotherapy is to destroy any breast cancer cells that may be left in:
- your breast (after breast conserving surgery), or
- the breast tissue left on your chest (after mastectomy).
Radiotherapy uses X-rays (controlled doses of radiation) to destroy cancer cells. It is usually given after surgery to the breast. Radiotherapy is a ‘localised’ treatment, which means it treats only the area of your body it’s aimed at. Your radiotherapy treatment aims to destroy cancer cells that may remain in your breast after breast conserving surgery, or in any breast tissue left on your chest after mastectomy. Occasionally radiotherapy is also used to treat the lymph nodes in the armpit and/or lower neck.
When is radiotherapy considered an option, and how effective
is it?
After breast conserving surgery: radiotherapy to the breast is recommended:
- After mastectomy: radiotherapy to the chest is sometimes recommended.
- After either type of breast surgery: radiotherapy to the lymph nodes in the armpit and/or lower neck is occasionally recommended.
Talk to your doctor about how radiotherapy may benefit you.
Radiotherapy to
the breast: after breast conserving surgery
Radiotherapy is recommended after breast conserving surgery. After
breast conserving surgery, radiotherapy can mean:
- less risk of the breast cancer coming back in the same breast.
- less risk of needing further surgery.
- increased likelihood of surviving breast cancer.
Radiotherapy
to the chest wall: after mastectomy
Radiotherapy is sometimes recommended after mastectomy.
It is not very common to have radiotherapy to the chest wall after
a mastectomy, but sometimes women have radiotherapy if they are
considered to be at higher risk of the breast cancer coming back
in the breast tissue on their chest.
