Radiation therapy is a highly targeted, highly effective way to destroy cancer cells that may linger after surgery. This reduces the risk of recurrence.
Radiation is usually given after mastectomy in men with:
- large cancers (5 centimeters or bigger)
- a positive margin of resection (when the cancer comes very close to or is at the edge of the breast tissue removed)
- a significant area of lymphatic or blood vessel involvement
- significant lymph node involvement (four or more positive nodes)
After mastectomy, radiation therapy is usually given 5 days a week for about 5-7 weeks.
Radiation can also be used for men with advanced (metastatic) disease to relieve symptoms or help avoid complications from specific areas of spread. For example, radiation can help relieve painful bone metastases, decrease the risk of breaking a bone that's been weakened by cancer, decrease bleeding from skin involvement, and reduce neurological symptoms if the cancer puts pressure on nerves or the spinal cord.
The main potential side effects of radiation therapy include:
Skin irritation. The skin involved in radiation may become dry, sore, and more sensitive to the touch. The skin can start to peel or blister. Your skin reaction can become more serious if the exposed area is not treated and infection develops. Your radiation oncologist can work with you to help you manage any of these signs or symptoms. Fortunately, the skin irritation caused by radiation is temporary. The effects on your skin may continue to worsen for another week or so after treatment has ended, but then your skin will begin to improve. The deep redness and the sensitivity should go away over the first weeks after treatment. The skin will take somewhat longer to completely return to its natural color. If you are white, you may find that the treated area looks tanned or slightly pinkish for up to 6 months after your last session of radiation. If you are black, your skin may be tanner and less red. Your skin can become very dark.
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