Radiation Treatment
for Breast Cancer

If you are seeking radiation treatment for breast cancer in the Las Vegas area, Oncology Las Vegas is here to support you. We specialize in radiation oncology, offering high-quality care to guide you through this important phase of your treatment. Our experienced radiation oncologists, along with our compassionate and dedicated staff, are committed to providing personalized care with both expertise and empathy. We are here to ensure you receive the best possible support and treatment tailored to your needs.

Breast Cancer - Oncology Las Vegas

How Does Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer Work?

Radiation treatment uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. Radiation focuses on a specific area, making it a precise and effective option for treating breast cancer, and it can be used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. At Oncology Las Vegas, our advanced technology ensures that radiation is delivered with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing damage to healthy tissues and reducing side effects.

This common and highly effective treatment is often used after breast cancer surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells, reducing the risk of recurrence. If you need radiation treatment for breast cancer because surgery is not an option for you, one of our two clinic locations can serve as your primary treatment provider. Radiation therapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer.

At Oncology Las Vegas, we believe in a personalized approach to treatment. Every patient is unique, and so is their cancer. We are committed to providing not just top-notch medical care but also the support you need throughout your cancer journey. Our team of specialists, including radiation oncologists, nurses, and support staff, will be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.

 

What to Expect

Beginning radiation treatment for breast cancer can feel daunting, but at Oncology Las Vegas, we are committed to ensuring a seamless and supportive experience. Our patients benefit from significantly reduced wait times for treatment initiation. Additionally, we accept most insurance providers, facilitating timely access to care and minimizing potential delays.

As for radiation treatment, here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:

  • Consultation: Your journey begins with a consultation with your radiation oncologist. There are two main types of radiation treatment used for treating breast cancer: external beam radiation therapy, or EBRT, and brachytherapy. Your doctor will review your medical history, discuss your diagnosis, and determine what kind of radiation treatment is right for you.

  • Planning: Once you have an approved course of treatment, the next step is planning to ensure that the radiation targets the cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

  • Treatment: Radiation treatment for breast cancer is typically given five days a week for several weeks. Sessions are quick, usually lasting about 15-30 minutes, with much of that time being used to adjust the machine for exact application. Radiation treatment is painless, and patients are able to go about the rest of their day afterward with no issues.

  • Follow-Up: After completing your radiation therapy, we’ll schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns you might have. The Oncology Las Vegas team is here for you, even after your treatment ends.

Side Effects

Common side effects of breast cancer radiation treatment include skin irritation, fatigue, and breast swelling. These effects are usually temporary. Radiation treatment can cause side effects that appear later on, such as changes in breast size, ability to breastfeed, and more. If you experience any of these side effects after completing radiation treatment or wish to know more, our care team is happy to answer questions.

Radiation Treatments After a Lumpectomy

SAVI® Breast Brachytherapy After a Lumpectomy

Breast brachytherapy is an innovative and modern procedure that delivers radiation from inside the breast using a device placed through a surgical incision. This allows radiation to only be delivered to the tissue immediately surrounding the tumor cavity, sparing healthy tissue and reducing treatment time from 6 to 7 weeks to just 5 days or less.

The SAVI breast brachytherapy is a good treatment option for patients who have had a lumpectomy. The applicator is implanted into the lumpectomy cavity usually in an office-based procedure after surgery. The applicator’s unique design enables your radiation oncologist to precisely target radiation where it is needed while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.

SAVI Brachy uses thin tubes (catheters) to deliver radiation directly to the lumpectomy site. The catheters gently expand to fit the size and shape of the tumor cavity. A tiny radiation seed travels through each catheter to deliver a precise dose of radiation, customized for the exact size, shape or location of your tumor cavity.

Once the catheter is in place, your treatments will be delivered twice a day for five days or less. The ends of the catheters are connected to a computerized delivery system that painlessly delivers a tiny radioactive seed into each tube. The radiation source is completely removed after each treatment – no radiation remains in your body between treatments.

MammoSite® Radiation Therapy System After a Lumpectomy

The MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) is a brachytherapy method used to treat early-stage breast cancer after a lumpectomy. Your radiation oncologist inserts a small balloon on the end of a catheter into the empty space left by the surgery. The balloon is then filled with a combination of saline and radiographic contrast to fill the cavity. A computer-controlled machine uses the catheter to insert radioactive seeds into the balloon twice a day for five days. The seeds are removed each time, and the balloon is left in place until the treatments are complete.

The MammoSite RTS targets the exact area where the cancer is most likely to recur, while avoiding healthy tissue. It is an alternative to external beam radiation therapy because it has a shorter treatment schedule and can have better cosmetic results.

You’re Not Alone

Facing breast cancer is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’ve been searching for  a clinic that offers radiation treatment for breast cancer in Las Vegas hoping to find a supportive and compassionate team, your search is over. At Oncology Las Vegas, we are committed to providing compassionate care in a friendly and supportive environment. We’re here to listen, guide, and support you throughout your treatment journey, helping you achieve the best possible outcome.