Καρκίνος του μαστού: Σύγχρονες τεχνικές ακτινοθεραπείας

Abstract

Breast cancer has been known since ancient time. Although the treatment is complex, with the rapid advancement of medical technology, Radiotherapy is becoming more and more useful. Firstly, in the general part of our dissertation, we quoted some information concerning the breast in general, such as basic elements of anatomy and physiology, and then we defined what ‘cancer’ is. Then, we abstract the characteristics of breast cancer, such as the frequency of its occurrence, the probability of its occurrence depending on the age, the risk factors, the histological classification, the staging, the clinical picture as well as the ways of its treatment. In the special part of our dissertation, we specialize in Radiotherapy and more specifically in its plans, since it is one of the most basic methods of treating breast cancer. We emphasized the purpose of Radiotherapy as well as its types and described the possible side effects that may result from it and by extension, the indications, contraindications and cases where it is considered as the treatment of choice. Also, we considered it appropriate to mention the technique of radiotherapy in the prone position, although it is not widely known and used due to technical problems that arise and difficulties in set-up. We analyzed the plans for radiotherapy after simple mastectomy, lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy, non-surgical cancer, in the lymph nodes (axillary, supraclavicular and internal mammary), in small tumors and in male breast cancer. After that, we made a brief reference to the contribution of Brachytherapy to the treatment of breast cancer, its types and side effects and ended up to our final plan related to partial radiation. Finally, because it is known that patients receiving breast radiotherapy, especially to the left breast, have an increased risk of developing heart or lung disease as a distal side effect, we considered it necessary to report the technique of radiotherapy with monitoring of the respiratory cycle, as it has been proven through it, significant protection of the heart and lungs during Radiotherapy.