Radiation therapy remains one of the most common tools for breast cancer treatment, but it has been refined considerably over the years.

Radiation therapy comes in two basic types: internal or external.

External radiation treatments utilize a highly energized and highly focused light beam to rid the body of cancer cells and their surrounding tissues. The light beam cannot be seen with the human eye however it is semi-transparent allowing it to pass through your skin. Cancer cells are uniquely composed, so therefore they all have a different reaction to the treatment.

Healthy cells are in the path of the radiation and are affected by it. But, as cancer cells are actively dividing and growing in abnormal ways, their function is more readily interrupted. They may absorb a much higher percentage of the radiative energy than healthy cells. That energy kills the cancer cells. The beam may also destroy the blood vessels around the tumor that the cancer generates in order to feed itself.

Radiation performed internally is often called brachyytherapy. It is similar to chemotherapy. Instead of utilizing drugs to affect a chemical change a small amount of radioactive material is placed within the body. The material then emits radiation targeting cancer cells, destroying them from within the body.

Internal radiation is not as commonly used as external radiation. But just as with any other method of treatment the use of this technique is determined by the oncologist.

Radiation therapy is usually used before or with another treatment. After an individual undergoes a modified mastectomy, their oncologist could recommend that they also receive a course of radiation treatment that lasts six to eight weeks.

The goal of radiation therapy is to ensure that any cancerous cells that could not be removed by the surgeon are destroyed by radiation. It is a treatment that is less intense because utilizing radiation to completely kill cancer would require longer and higher doses.

Similarly, radiation treatments may accompany chemotherapy. Since each case is unique, the patient and oncologist will determine what’s best for each person. In other cases, it may be used solely to relieve symptoms without any expectation of cure.

Despite the high energy in the beam, radiation treatments themselves are painless. There are often uncomfortable side effects, however.

Radiation treatments can produce fatigue, particularly in the later stages of treatment. Treatments are often given five days a week for several weeks, sometimes twice per day. In these cases, the fatigue can last for a few weeks or longer after treatment ends.

Problematic skin is a fairly common side effect. Because radiation is absorbed by some of the breast tissue an individual might experience redness, soreness, and itching. They might notice decreased sensation on and about the breast, under the arm and even nearby areas. Radiation doesn’t cause hair loss unless it is applied directly to the head, which typically isn’t the case during breast cancer treatment.

In more extreme cases, the immune system can be compromised, especially if radiation is applied to the lymph nodes in the armpit. Lymph nodes and the connecting vessels that run throughout the body, are a key component of the immune system and radiation can decrease their effectiveness.

Fortunately radiation side effects are usually pretty short. Except for in extreme instances lymph nodes, organs, and other bodily functions and components are not destroyed completely or harmed beyond repair during the course of radiation treatment. Their function, however, could be hindered for a period of time but the body is capable of quickly recovering.

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In the unfortunate event where a full mastectomy is required to treat breast cancer, reconstruction is often a much welcomed option. With modern technology, techniques, and materials that are available it is possible to restore the breasts appearance to its original form with hardly any visible scarring. When this procedure is carried out it is done so by plastic surgeons specializing in restoration. It has now become a commonplace following a full mastectomy.

There are a variety of approaches and each case is unique. Consultation with a physician is required in order to select the one that is right for you.

Breast implants are one option that is typically chosen. Today implants are typically saline filled bags encased in silicone. They are placed in front of the chest wall muscles under the skin that covers the breast area.

In the past silicon filled implants were more typical. There was a huge concern that the silicon could possibly leak out into the body thus causing problems for the immune system. The FDA recently announced after years of study that there isn’t much basis for worry and silicon breast implants are now legal again. Some individuals prefer silicon implants because they behave differently.

In many instances reconstruction can be performed during the mastectomy. In other instance physicians recommend a waiting period to allow the body to completely recover and heal prior to undergoing any additional surgery. Each case is individual and can only be decided by the physician and the patient in question.

Typically, though, two-stage delayed reconstruction is performed if the skin and chest wall tissues are flat. An implant, called a tissue expander that functions like a balloon under the tissue, is placed beneath the muscle. The surgeon then injects saline in stages over a period of time to gradually fill the sac. In some instances, the expander itself becomes the implant. In other cases, in a later procedure, the expander is removed and replaced with a permanent implant.

Another method of breast reconstruction is a tissue flap procedure. These procedures use skin from the stomach, the thighs, or other areas as part of the entire process.

TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap) is one of the most common types, which uses tissue from the lower abdominal wall. A pedicle flap leaves the tissue attached to the original blood supply and stretches the tissue up the breast area. A free flap procedure removes the tissue entirely, along with muscles, fat, and blood vessels and reattaches them to blood vessels under the chest.

Another common tissue flap procedure that is equally as common as a TRAM uses tissue from the upper back. A flap is moved in front of an individual’s chest wall to create a pocket. Following that a breast implant is inserted into the pocket. There are other procedures in addition to this one; there is even one that uses gluteal muscle tissue.

In each instance nipple and/or areola reconstruction might be required. It can be done simultaneously, later, and sometimes not at all. The nipple from the original breast is usually not used out of fear that it could regenerate cancer.

Keep in mind that reconstructive surgery is not performed without risks.

All of the normal surgical complications such as infection or scarring, and capsular contracture (scar tissue forming around the implant) can occur. Additionally breast implants might not last a lifetime, and depending upon each individual’s circumstances including age. Replacing your implants might require an additional surgery at a later time period in life. The end result might or might not be what the patient wanted or expected. Only a consultation with a physician specializing in reconstruction will provide the patient with realistic outcomes to expect.

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In the unfortunate event where a full mastectomy is required to treat breast cancer, reconstruction is often a much welcomed option. With modern technology, techniques, and materials that are available it is possible to restore the breasts appearance to its original form with hardly any visible scarring. When this procedure is carried out it is done so by plastic surgeons specializing in restoration. It has now become a commonplace following a full mastectomy.

There are many different approaches and each case is unique and different. Consultation with a physician is necessary in order to choose the technique that is right for you.

Breast implants are one commonly chosen option. Today, these are usually saline filled bags with a silicon outer shell. They are placed in front of the chest wall muscles under the skin covering the breast area.

In the past silicon filled implants were more commonly used than they are today. Then a concern arose regarding the possibility of silicon leaking into the body thus causing immune system malfunction. The FDA has recently announced that after years of careful observation and study there is little basis for worry thus making silicon breast implants legal again. Some individuals prefer them because they behave differently within the body.

In some cases, reconstruction is done during the mastectomy. In others, physicians recommend a waiting period to allow the body to heal before any further surgery. Each case is individual and can only be decided on its own merits.

Usually, two-staged delayed reconstruction is performed if the skin and chest wall tissues are flat. In this instance an implant, called a tissue expander that functions much like a balloon under the tissue, is placed underneath the muscle. A surgeon then injects saline in stages over a specific period of time. In some cases the expander itself eventually becomes the implant. In other instances the expander is removed during a later procedure and replaced with a permanent implant.

Another method of breast reconstruction is a tissue flap procedure. These procedures use skin from the stomach, the thighs, or other areas as part of the entire process.

TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap) is one of the most common types of tissue flap procedures. This procedure uses tissue from the lower abdominal wall. A pedicle flap leaves the tissue attached to the original blood supply and stretches the tissue all the way up into the breast area.

Another common tissue flap procedure that is equally as common as a TRAM uses tissue from the upper back. A flap is moved in front of an individual’s chest wall to create a pocket. Following that a breast implant is inserted into the pocket. There are other procedures in addition to this one; there is even one that uses gluteal muscle tissue.

In each instance nipple and/or areola reconstruction may or may not be in order. In some instances it will be done simultaneously with breast reconstruction, in others it might be done later, sometimes it is not even done at all. The original nipple is rarely used as a replacement as it has yet to be determined whether or not it can regenerate cancer.

Reconstructive surgery is not entirely without risks, of course.

There can be the usual surgical complications, such as infection or scarring, such as capsular contracture in which scar tissue forms around the implant. Breast implants may not last a lifetime, depending on individual circumstances, such as age. Replacing them may require an additional surgery later in life. The final result may or may not be what the patient was expecting. Only a full consultation with a physician can provide a realistic assessment of likely outcomes.

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