One out of every eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. However, if breast cancer is diagnosed early, before malignant cells have spread to neighboring lymph nodes, there is a 90 percent to 95 percent chance of a cure. Today, more than 70 percent of all breast biopsies in the United States are benign but when the diagnosis of cancer is made, highly specialized treatment is required.
Advances in radiation therapy have dramatically impacted breast cancer treatment. Commonly, lumpectomy is used to first remove the tumor and radiation then destroys any cancerous cells that remain, thereby helping to prevent removal of the entire breast.
Athens Cancer Center is the first radiation oncology group in Athens and we’ve made the treatment of breast and gynecologic cancers an important part of our practice. Our team of radiation oncologists are highly trained and skilled and have over 36 years of combined experience.
Breast cancer treatment.
Here at Athens Cancer Center, we perform today’s most innovative breast radiotherapy treatments that offer less risk, better cosmetic results and greater hope for recovery. First, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT) combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver precise doses of radiation to the breast, while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. Next, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) represents a significant advance in the treatment of breast cancer. With IMRT, greater amounts of radiation can be delivered to the breast tumor with less healthy-tissue exposure (particularly the lungs and heart) and better cosmetic results than other forms of external-beam radiotherapy. Finally, breast cancer patients who undergo 3-D CRT or IMRT can be spared the side effects of standard radiation therapy, such as skin irritation and breakdown, scarring of the lungs and potentially even treatment-related heart complications.
Treatment of gynecologic cancers.
3-D CRT and IMRT are also used to treat certain gynecologic cancers. These include uterine (endometrium), cervical, ovarian and vaginal cancers. Depending on the patient’s individual needs, 3-D CRT or IMRT can be performed alone or combined with chemotherapy, surgery or both. 3-D CRT and IMRT have proven highly effective in treating gynecologic tumors because they offer greater accuracy, less discomfort and less risk.
To learn more about Athens Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art treatment methods for breast cancer and gynecologic cancers, please call (740) 566-4600 today.