Radiation is performed two different ways: both internal and external.

Radiation treatments that are external are done using a highly focused, high energy beam of light utilized to annihilate cancer cells and their surrounding tissue. The beam of light can not be seen with your eyes but it can pass through your skin because it is semi-transparent. Cancer cells are composed differently, therefore they react differently to treatments.

Healthy cells are in the path of the radiation and are affected by it. But, as cancer cells are actively dividing and growing in abnormal ways, their function is more readily interrupted. They may absorb a much higher percentage of the radiative energy than healthy cells. That energy kills the cancer cells. The beam may also destroy the blood vessels around the tumor that the cancer generates in order to feed itself.

Radiation performed internally is often called brachyytherapy. It is similar to chemotherapy. Instead of utilizing drugs to affect a chemical change a small amount of radioactive material is placed within the body. The material then emits radiation targeting cancer cells, destroying them from within the body.

Internal radiation therapy is much less common. But, as with any treatment regimen, when and how it is used is determined after discussion with a specialist.

Radiation therapy is often used as a precursor or adjunct treatment, accompanying other methods. After a modified mastectomy, for example, an oncologist may recommend a course of radiation treatments lasting six to eight weeks.

The optimal goal of radiation treatment is to make sure that any cancerous cells not removed by the surgeon are destroyed through radiation treatment. Radiation treatment is a treatment that isn't as intense because using radiation to completely rid the body of cancer would require both longer and higher doses.

Similarly, radiation treatments may accompany chemotherapy. Since each case is unique, the patient and oncologist will determine what's best for each person. In other cases, it may be used solely to relieve symptoms without any expectation of cure.

Even though the beam of light emitted through radiation is intense the treatments themselves are painless. Radiation treatments do have horrible side effects.

Radiation treatments often cause fatigue, especially during the later treatment stages. Often times the treatments are given for five days at a time over a period of multiple weeks, and often times are used twice per day. In those cases the fatigue might outlive the treatment length.

Problematic skin is a fairly common side effect. Because radiation is absorbed by some of the breast tissue an individual might experience redness, soreness, and itching. They might notice decreased sensation on and about the breast, under the arm and even nearby areas. Radiation doesn't cause hair loss unless it is applied directly to the head, which typically isn't the case during breast cancer treatment.

In more extreme cases, the immune system can be compromised, especially if radiation is applied to the lymph nodes in the armpit. Lymph nodes and the connecting vessels that run throughout the body, are a key component of the immune system and radiation can decrease their effectiveness.

Fortunately, side effects are usually short lived. Except in the most extreme cases, organs, lymph nodes and other body components are not destroyed or irreparably harmed by radiation treatment. Though function may be temporarily suppressed, the body generally bounces back.