Breast cancer is one of the most common tumors in women. The incidence rate of breast cancer in modern women is quite high. After the onset of breast cancer, it is necessary to take timely measures to actively treat it. During treatment, surgical resection of the lesion can be chosen, and timely treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is required after the surgery. So how long does radiotherapy for breast cancer take?
How long does radiotherapy for breast cancer take?
This issue cannot be generalized, it depends on various factors such as the patient's age, physical condition, mentality, pathological stage of lung cancer, presence of metastasis, and surgical efficacy.
What are the indications of postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer?
(1) After a simple mastectomy.
(2) The pathological report after radical surgery shows lymph node metastasis in the middle or upper axillary group.
(3) Pathological examination after radical surgery confirms that metastatic lymph nodes account for more than half of the total number of lymph nodes examined or have four or more lymph node metastases.
(4) Pathologically confirmed cases of lymph node metastasis within the breast.
(5) After radical surgery, especially for those with axillary lymph node metastasis, if the primary lesion is located in the center or inside of the breast.
What are the principles of postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer?
(1) After radical surgery or pseudo radical surgery for stage I and II breast cancer, if the primary focus is in the outer quadrant of the breast and the pathological examination of axillary lymph nodes is negative, no radiotherapy will be given after surgery; When the axillary lymph node is positive, postoperative irradiation should be applied to the internal mammary area and the supraclavicular area; When the primary lesion is in the central or inner quadrant of the breast and the pathological examination of the axillary lymph nodes is negative, only the inner breast area will be irradiated after surgery. When the axillary lymph nodes are positive, additional irradiation will be given to the supraclavicular and infraclavicular areas.
(2) After radical surgery for stage III breast cancer, whether the axillary lymph nodes are positive or negative, the internal mammary region and the supraclavicular and infraclavicular region should be irradiated. Based on the number of positive axillary lymph nodes and the extent of chest wall involvement, chest wall irradiation may or may not be considered.
(3) After the radical operation for breast cancer, the axillary lymph nodes have been removed, and the axillary area is generally no longer irradiated. Unless the surgical removal is incomplete or there is residual focus, additional axillary area irradiation is considered.
(4) Radiotherapy should start within 4-6 weeks after surgery, and for those with skin grafts, it can be extended to 8 weeks.
Through this introduction, we can know that the time of radiotherapy for breast cancer is not fixed, and it should be determined according to the specific condition. If you are a breast cancer patient who needs radiotherapy, you'd better have a clear understanding of the content of this article, so that you can have a more targeted radiotherapy.
