Chemoradiation

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for breast cancer can be either intravenous (IV) or oral. Most of the time, it’s given IV. It’s used when there is concern that the cancer has spread outside of the breast and lymph nodes, or when there is a high risk that it will. Classic chemotherapy for breast cancer has side effects, including fatigue, hair loss and GI upset. A patient’s blood cell count can drop. She can have peripheral neuropathy. The cancer treatment team gives very attentive care to women receiving chemotherapy so that their symptoms and problems are treated quickly.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is given to prevent local return (recurrence) of breast cancer.It’s directed to the breast after a woman has fully healed from her lumpectomy. Classically, a woman has treatment five days a week for six weeks. Each visit lasts 10-20 minutes. The treatment is usually very easy to tolerate, and a woman can fit it into her daily schedule. Most of the side effects are local: darkening of the skin, thickening of the skin and swelling of the breast. Some women notice fatigue towards the end of the treatment regimen.