Procedure
Radiotherapy focuses high-energy X-rays on the tumor or remaining tumor cells in order to kill them in a targeted manner. Radiation therapy can also be used when the cancer has already spread; in such cases, it can prevent or alleviate symptoms caused by metastases—for example, in the bones (palliative radiation therapy).
Radiotherapy is carried out as an outpatient treatment, is non-invasive (i.e. does not require anesthesia) and can therefore be easily integrated into everyday private and professional life. In cases of breast cancer, fractionated treatment is usually necessary. This means that the total dose is divided into several daily doses, and treatment is usually administered over a period of 3–4 weeks. Close, personalized support is a given for us.
Radiotherapy procedure
Palliative radiation therapy, on the other hand—which is used to relieve symptoms or treat metastases—can be significantly shorter depending on the situation and may consist of only 1 to 10 sessions.
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the USZ uses only the most advanced techniques to provide precise radiation therapy for the breast or chest wall with minimal side effects. Standard techniques used at our clinic include, for example, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and its technical advancement, VMAT (volumetric modulated arc therapy), high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, “fast” high-energy electrons, image-guided positioning and irradiation (IGRT), as well as treatment using the breath-hold technique (DIBH) for left-sided breast cancer.
You will be cared for by experts in the treatment of breast cancer.
Für viele Patientinnen und Patienten bieten wir schon heute die Behandlung von morgen an: in klinischen Studien arbeiten wir kontinuierlich daran die Behandlung des Brustkrebses zu verbessern, um diese noch wirksamer und verträglicher zu gestalten. To the overview of currently open studies.
Postoperative treatment
Radiotherapy for breast cancer always takes place after surgery and is referred to as postoperative or adjuvant radiotherapy. Depending on the extent of the breast cancer, chemotherapy may also be necessary. In this case, chemotherapy would be given before any necessary radiotherapy. Anti-hormonal therapy, on the other hand, can also be carried out at the same time as radiotherapy.
By irradiating the entire breast and saturating the dose locally in the tumor bed, we significantly reduce the risk of a recurrence in the breast. This also optimizes the chances of recovery. If lymph nodes are affected, these risk regions can also be irradiated. Radiotherapy is usually tolerated without any problems and only takes a few minutes.
In order to protect the surrounding tissue in the best possible way, we use state-of-the-art technology at our clinic. In the case of left-sided breast cancer, for example, the radiation can be adapted to the patient’s breathing and radiation is delivered in deep inspiration. We call this technique deep inspiration breath hold or DIBH.
Metastases in breast cancer, e.g. in the brain or bones
Breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that often spreads to other parts of the body as the disease progresses; this is called metastasis. Common sites of metastasis include the lungs, adrenal glands, bones, or the liver. Radiotherapy is a highly effective method with few side effects to prevent or treat symptoms caused by metastases. This is usually done in combination with chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other targeted therapy. The smaller the metastases are and the earlier they are irradiated, the better the results. Today, metastases in the body can be treated in a focused manner in just a few effective radiation sessions.
For tumor foci in the abdominal area, e.g. liver or upper abdomen, we carry out body stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) on our MRI hybrid accelerator. State-of-the-art radiation technology is combined with MRI images. The radiation is thus carried out under MRI monitoring of the tumor, so that the highest precision is combined with the best imaging. Our clinic was the first in Switzerland to introduce this technology back in 2019. We are still the only clinic in German-speaking Switzerland to offer the highest level of expertise in this field.
Today, brain metastases are treated at our center in most patients by means of a single high-dose radiation treatment: this is called radiosurgery.
Metastases at other locations in the body can now also be treated in a focused manner in just a few effective radiation sessions.
Metastatic breast cancer is a clinical and scientific focus of our clinic. We pass on our knowledge in a large number of international courses and congresses.
State-of-the-art equipment and experienced medical physicists and MTRAs contribute to treatment of optimum quality and safety.
At the same time, we work closely with our colleagues in medical oncology to guarantee “one-stop” treatment. We also consult with our colleagues in palliative medicine at an early stage.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of breast cancer in order to make it even more effective and tolerable. To the overview of currently open studies.
