Radiation therapy

Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: Modern Techniques Explained (2025) Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, but thanks to early detection and advanced treatments, survival rates continue to improve dramatically. Radiation therapy plays a key role after surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) by destroying any remaining microscopic cancer cells and reducing the risk of local recurrence. Why Radiation After Breast Surgery? • After lumpectomy: Radiation is standard and reduces recurrence risk in the breast by up to 70% • After mastectomy: Recommended if the tumor was large, lymph nodes were involved, or margins were close • Proven to give the same survival as mastectomy when combined with lumpectomy How Modern Breast Radiation Works – Step by Step 1. Simulation       You lie on a CT scanner table in the exact treatment position. Small tattoo marks or skin markers are placed for daily alignment. A custom mold or breast board may be made for comfort and r...

3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT) in External Beam Planning 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT), also known as 3D conformal radiotherapy, is a standard and widely used technique in external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). It shapes high-dose radiation to precisely match the three-dimensional (3D) contours of a tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This represents a major advancement over older 2D planning methods, which relied on simpler X-ray images and rectangular fields that often irradiated more normal tissue. How 3D External Beam Planning Works The process is highly precise and involves several key steps: 1. Imaging and Simulation      • Patients undergo a CT scan (often combined with MRI or PET-CT) in the exact treatment position.      • Immobilization devices (e.g., custom molds, masks, or cushions) ensure reproducibility.      • These scans create a detailed 3D model of the...