Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Effects Must Watched Out

News Health Articles - Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Effects Must Watched Out. Women who received radiation treatment of a rapid and localized to early stage breast cancer have a higher risk to undergo breast removal (mastectomy) later in life than women who were treated with traditional whole breast radiation.

According to research results show that, the method of radiation treatment with the increasingly popular use of rapid methods known as accelerated partial breast irradiation therapy may be less effective than using a standard radiation.



The results of these studies have been published on breast cancer meeting in San Antonio.

"This study compares two techniques of radiation therapy available to women with early stage breast cancer. Women who were treated with local radiation techniques have twice the risk of requiring mastectomy in 5 years, either because of a breast tumor grows back or because of complications caused by radiation was own, "said Dr.. Benjamin Smith of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as reported from FoxNewsHealth, Friday (16/12/2011).

The research team has studied the form of rapid radiation treatment known as brachytherapy. In the brachytherapy procedure in which radiation is given to women through the catheter to kill breast cancer cells that may still be left behind after surgery. Radiotherapy procedure was first approved in 2002 and now it has become increasingly popular.

Brachytherapy should be used for the treatment of advanced cancer. Radioactive seeds or sources are placed at or near the tumor itself, thus providing a high radiation dose to the tumor. While reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. The term "brachy" is derived from the Greek word meaning short distance. Brachytherapy is radiation therapy given at local distances, precise, and high tech.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) provides brachytherapy for various types of cancer. Some tumors can be treated with brachytherapy, among others:
1. Prostate Cancer
2. Breast Cancer
3. Lung cancer
4. Gynecologic cancer
5. Anal or rectal tumors
6. Sarcoma
7. Head and neck cancer

Radiotherapy procedure is usually performed several days after tumor removal. Patients are typically treated twice daily for 5-7 days. Traditional radiation treatment may takes 5-7 weeks. The study was based on analysis of Medicare claims data from 130 535 beneficiaries, who was diagnosed with breast cancer between the years 2000-2007.

"In that study, based on data from Medicare patients found that, consistent increase in brachytherapy APBI of less than 1 percent in 2000 to 13 percent in 2007. Thus, the experts predict this trend will continue," said Dr.. Smith said in a statement.