Services

Treatment

Treatment planning for each patient is developed by RAS radiation oncologists. Detailed imaging studies, such as a Diagnostic Mammogram , Chest X-ray , Breast MRI  or PET scan, are used to characterize the extent of the cancer. During the simulation process, a CT scan is used to help the radiation oncology team accurately identify the location of the tumor and the normal areas around it. Simulation also ensures that the patient will be in exactly the same position for each treatment session. Body molds or other devices may be constructed to make it easier to stay still. Temporary skin marks and even tattoos are used to help with precise patient positioning.

The area selected for treatment usually includes the whole tumor plus a small amount of normal tissue surrounding the tumor to take into account movement from breathing and to reduce the likelihood of tumor recurrence from cancer cells that may have begun to spread to tissue next to the tumor. Doctors take potential damage to normal cells into account when planning a course of radiation therapy. The amount of radiation that normal tissue can safely receive is known for all parts of the body. Doctors use this information to help them decide where to aim radiation during treatment.

Treatments take less than 15 minutes per day and generally are well tolerated. Side effects may include fatigue and redness and irritation of the skin over the breast or chest wall similar to a moderate sunburn. Less common but other possible side effects can occur over time. The radiation oncologist will discuss the possible side effects with the patient at the consultation.

RAS Radiation Oncology Centers also work closely with local breast surgeons to offer the most advanced breast brachytherapy treatments to breast cancer patients who fit a select set of criteria. “Accelerated partial breast irradiation” (APBI), using MammoSite® or SAVI™ internal radiation techniques, may be appropriate for some women with early-stage breast cancer. RAS physicians oversee clinical trials to study these new techniques.

Duration of the treatment schedule will vary with each procedure. Brachytherapy treatments are generally shorter and more condensed than traditional external beam radiotherapy. The radiation oncologist will discuss with the patient whether or not they are a candidate for this method of breast radiation delivery.

Adjuvant Therapy
Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are sometimes used in combination to treat advanced breast cancer. The medical oncologist will work closely with the radiation oncologist and surgeon forming an integrated healthcare team to determine the most effective treatment plan. Chemotherapy, a process by which cancer cells are destroyed using special drugs that are injected through a vein or taken in pill form, does not replace radiation. If chemotherapy is recommended, the medical oncologist will inform the patient of the possible side effects or complications. When recommended, chemotherapy is usually given before radiation.

Side Effects and Complications
Possible side effects and complications vary, depending upon the procedure being performed.