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Non-Surgical Treatment
RADIATION THERAPY
Radiation therapy as a primary
treatment is a promising technique for women who have early stage
breast cancer. This procedure allows a woman to keep her breast and
involves lumpectomy followed by radiation (x-ray) treatment. Once a
biopsy has been done and breast cancer has been diagnosed, radiation
treatment usually involves the following steps:
- Surgery to evaluate underarm lymph
nodes to see if the cancer has spread beyond the breast, i.e.
sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection.
- External radiation therapy to the
breast and the surrounding area (involving approximately five weeks
of treatment)
- “Boost” radiation therapy to the
biopsy site which is usually marked with surgical clips to mark the
tumor bed (one additional week of radiation therapy)
For external radiation therapy, a
machine beams x-rays to the breast and possibly the underarm lymph
nodes. The usual schedule for radiation therapy is five days a week for
about seven weeks. In some instances, a “boost” or concentrated dose of
radiation may be given to the area where the cancer was located. This
can be done with an electron beam. Less frequently used is a boost
done internally with an implant of radioactive materials.
If you are having radiation therapy
as primary treatment for early stage
breast cancer, a qualified, board-certified radiation therapist who is experienced in this form of
treatment should do it.
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ADVANTAGES |
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The breast is not
removed. Lumpectomy with radiation therapy as a primary
treatment for breast cancer appears to be as effective as
mastectomy for treating early stage breast cancer. Usually there
is not much deformity of surrounding tissues. The skin usually
regains a normal appearance.
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DISADVANTAGES |
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A full course of
treatment requires short daily visits to the hospital as an out
patient for approximately five weeks. Treatment may produce a
skin reaction like sunburn, and may cause tiredness. Itching or
peeling of the skin may also occur. Radiation therapy can
sometimes cause a temporary decrease in white blood cell count,
which may increase the risk of infection. You maintain your
breast and, therefore, have a variable risk of local recurrence
which would necessitate mastectomy should cancer return.
Post-mastectomy reconstruction options are limited after
radiation therapy to the breast.
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Contact
Dr. Lisa
Curcio to discuss your
risk
for breast cancer .
Dr. Curcio
is a
breast cancer heredity risk specialist and she can
advise you on your
breast
cancer risk.
Visit
"Advanced
Breast Care Specialists of Orange County" in
Mission Viejo, California.
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Lisa Curcio,
M.D.
Advanced Breast Care Specialists of Orange County
25982 Pala, Suite 140
Mission Viejo, CA
92691
Phone:
(949) 770-0797
Fax: (949) 770-0730
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Dr. Lisa
Curcio specializes in optimal breast health, breast cancer surgery,
genetic screening, risk assessment and counseling, management of benign
breast problems and Breast Cancer Treatment in
Orange County,
California (CA).
Advanced Breast Care Specialist
is located in
Mission
Viejo,
California (CA). Patients from the surrounding cities such as
Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine,
Orange, Santa Ana, Aliso Viejo, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Dana Point,
Fountain Valley, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna
Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Placentia,
Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach,
Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda can conveniently
schedule an appointment with our Mission Viejo office.
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