Breast cancer Even a low dose of radiation is effective

Side effects in breast cancer treatment are preventable?

When women suffer from breast cancer, a so-called radiotherapy is often used for treatment. However, such an irradiation often has strong side effects. Researchers now found that unpleasant side effects can be avoided by using more targeted radiation or lower doses of radiation without compromising treatment success.

• Targeted radiation affected part of the breast can work effectively and reduce side effects.
• Even a lower dose of radiation can avoid side effects and still be effective.
• Less aggressive breast treatment reduces permanent disfigurement.

The researchers from Cambridge University and the Institute of Cancer Research in London found in their recent research that targeted treatment of breast cancer, with a lower dose of radiation, leads to fewer side effects for patients. The physicians presented the results of their study at this year's European Breast Cancer Conference in Barcelona.

When breast cancer is detected in women, physicians often advise radiotherapy. However, this form of treatment can lead to severe side effects. (Image: Tyler Olson / fotolia.com)

These two treatment approaches are promising

Thousands of breast cancer patients could be spared the unpleasant side effects of radiotherapy if physicians would use a more targeted treatment with lower doses of radiation. If only the tumor is irradiated, and not the entire breast of the affected woman, the effectiveness of the treatment against cancer is preserved, the side effects are reduced, however, explain the experts. There was a second approach to treatment. The whole breast was irradiated, but with a lower radiation dose. This form of treatment was just as effective and also reduced the side effects.

What side effects occur?

The less aggressive treatment has been shown to reduce the appearance of permanent breast disfigurement. One of the major side effects of radiotherapy is the general change in the bust image. Women also report pain, hardening of the tissue, sensitivity and fluid retention. Any of these side effects can be reduced with targeted or low-dose treatment, explain the physicians. In England alone, more than 38,000 women receive radiotherapy for breast cancer every year. The procedure is performed after surgical removal of a tumor and is intended to eradicate all remaining cancer cells.

1,200 subjects were closely examined

For their study, researchers analyzed treatment with a lower dose and more targeted radiation in 1,200 women in 41 British hospitals. These women were medically monitored for a period of five years. The experts found no difference in rates of cancer recurrence among the less aggressive approaches and the patients reported significantly lower side effects.

In the future, radiotherapy will hopefully lead to fewer side effects

The results are particularly important for women who are offered either whole-breast radiotherapy or radiotherapy to certain areas of the breast, explains study author Dr. Indrani Bhattacharya of the Institute of Cancer Research in a press release. Radiation therapy is never pleasant, but the results may result in fewer patients suffering from the traumatic side effects of radiation. (As)