According to the American Cancer Society®, breast cancer remains the most common type of cancer among American women. Depending on the stage of their cancer, women today can often choose breast-conserving lumpectomy (tumor removal) over mastectomy (breast removal). Those choosing lumpectomy also undergo radiation therapy to kill any stray cancer cells that might remain in the breast.

Until recently, whole breast radiation therapy was the standard of care after lumpectomy, as studies have proven this treatment to be effective in reducing the rate of local recurrences and improving long-term survival. Now, however, national clinical trials have demonstrated partial breast radiation therapy – high-dose radiation delivered only to the tumor site and to a small area of surrounding tissue – is just as effective as whole breast radiation therapy and produces minimal, if any, side effects.

According to Tapan Roy, MD, FACR, board certified radiation oncologist on staff at Saint Francis Medical Center's Cancer Institute, affiliated with the M. D. Anderson Physicians Network® through the M. D. Anderson Cancer Manager® program, doctors are now able to perform partial breast radiation on carefully selected patients using high-dose, external beam radiation. "The technique sends radiation from multiple angles that are closely tailored to the lumpectomy site. Radiation therapy works within the targeted cancer cells to halt their ability to multiply. When these cells die, the body naturally eliminates them. Healthy tissue is able to repair itself in a way cancer cells cannot."

Whole breast radiation therapy can be inconvenient for cancer patients, usually requiring visits to the clinic five days a week over five to seven weeks. With partial breast radiation therapy, a high dose of radiation is delivered twice a day for five days, making it far more convenient for active women and those living beyond the Cape Girardeau area.

"Partial breast radiation is most promising in women who have early stage cancer, small localized malignancies that are completely removed by surgery," says Roy. "Clearly you should discuss your particular case with your care management team to determine if you are eligible for this radiation therapy."

From Weekly Health Page: Oct. 15, 2006