Radiotherapy

At Birmingham Breast Clinic, we are dedicated to providing advanced and personalised treatments for breast cancer. Radiotherapy is a highly effective treatment that uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells. With innovative techniques like Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR), we can offer precise, effective care while minimising side effects. These advanced methods are particularly beneficial for treating complex tumours and oligometastatic disease, ensuring the best outcomes for you. Under the expert guidance of consultant oncologist Dr Sunduz Yahya and our compassionate team, we are here to support you at every step of your journey.

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a highly effective treatment that uses focused, high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells. It plays an essential role in many breast cancer treatment plans, whether to reduce the risk of cancer returning, manage symptoms in advanced stages, or treat metastatic disease. At Birmingham Breast Clinic, we offer state-of-the-art radiotherapy techniques tailored to your specific needs.

Advanced radiotherapy techniques

To deliver the most precise and effective treatment, we use advanced radiotherapy methods, including:

• IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy): IMRT customises the intensity of radiation beams to target cancer cells with sub-millimetre precision. This technique is especially effective for protecting nearby organs, such as the heart and lungs, while delivering higher doses directly to the tumour.
• SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy): SABR uses highly focused beams of radiation to treat small, well-defined tumours with incredible precision. It’s particularly beneficial for oligometastatic disease, where cancer has spread to a limited number of sites. SABR delivers high doses in fewer sessions, making it a convenient and effective option.

How radiotherapy works for breast cancer

Radiotherapy damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing or spreading. With advanced techniques like IMRT and SABR, radiotherapy can:

• Deliver customised doses of radiation directly to cancer cells.
• Minimise exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, reducing side effects.
• Treat complex tumours or small metastatic sites with exceptional accuracy.

These methods ensure that the treatment is both effective and as gentle as possible on your body.

Radiotherapy for oligometastatic disease

Radiotherapy is particularly beneficial for treating oligometastatic disease, where cancer has spread to a small number of sites, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. By targeting these areas with precision, radiotherapy can:

• Control tumour growth.
• Delay disease progression.
• Improve your quality of life.

Whether you’re managing early-stage breast cancer or advanced metastatic disease, our tailored radiotherapy treatments are designed to meet your individual needs and help you feel supported every step of the way.

Who benefits from radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a highly effective treatment often recommended for various stages and types of breast cancer. It may be suggested in the following situations:

• After surgery (adjuvant radiotherapy): To destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence, particularly for women who have had breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or a mastectomy.
• Before surgery (neoadjuvant radiotherapy): To shrink tumours, making surgery less invasive and more effective.
• Oligometastatic disease: To target small, localised metastatic tumours and delay disease progression.
• Advanced breast cancer: To relieve symptoms such as pain or discomfort and improve quality of life.

Whether targeting the remaining breast tissue after a lumpectomy, addressing the chest wall or lymph nodes after a mastectomy, or managing metastatic or advanced disease, your treatment will be carefully planned to maximise effectiveness while minimising side effects.

What to expect during radiotherapy

We understand that starting treatment can feel overwhelming, but we are here to guide you through every step with care and compassion. Here’s what to expect:

• Initial consultation: Your radiotherapy journey begins with a detailed discussion of your diagnosis and treatment options. We’ll explain how radiotherapy, including IMRT or SABR, fits into your care plan and answer any questions you may have.
• Treatment planning: Advanced imaging, such as CT, MRI, or PET scans, is used to create a detailed map of the treatment area. This ensures precise delivery of radiation to the cancer cells while protecting healthy tissues.
• Receiving your treatment: Radiotherapy is delivered as a painless outpatient procedure. IMRT is typically given in daily sessions over several weeks, while SABR involves fewer, high-dose sessions. Each session lasts 30–60 minutes.
• Ongoing support: Your progress will be closely monitored throughout treatment, and our team will provide practical advice to manage any side effects.

Benefits of radiotherapy

Radiotherapy offers many advantages, including:

• IMRT: Precision targeting of tumours while sparing nearby organs.
• SABR: Fewer treatment sessions, faster recovery, and effective treatment for small, well-defined tumours or oligometastatic disease.
• Reduced risk of recurrence after surgery.
• Relief from symptoms in advanced cancer.
• Improved quality of life during treatment.

Managing side effects

While radiotherapy is generally well-tolerated, some side effects may occur, such as:

• Fatigue
• Skin irritation or redness in the treatment area
• Swelling or tenderness around the treated site
• Mild nausea or discomfort

Our team will provide practical advice and support to help you manage these side effects and maintain your well-being during treatment.

Why choose Birmingham Breast Clinic?

Choosing the right care team is essential for your treatment journey. At Birmingham Breast Clinic, we are proud to offer:

• Advanced treatments: Access to state-of-the-art techniques like IMRT and SABR ensures you receive the most precise and effective care.
• Comprehensive approach: Your treatment plan is developed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, and pathologists, to provide seamless, personalised care.
• Patient-centred support: From diagnosis to recovery, we are here to guide you every step of the way, offering both practical and emotional care.

Contact us

A breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Birmingham Breast Clinic, we are here to provide expert care and support tailored to your needs.

If you would like to learn more about radiotherapy, IMRT, SABR, or treatments for oligometastatic disease, contact us today. Let us help you face your treatment journey with confidence, knowing you are receiving personalised care designed to deliver the best outcomes.