A TV monitor lets the staff keep the patient in sight at all times. During the actual exposure, the patient must remain as still as possible. Each exposure lasts only a few minutes and is completely painless. The electron beam is the more frequently used method to deliver a radiation boost. This treatment is administered on an out-patient basis.
Some therapists prefer to use the radioactive seed method to administer the boost.
In this case, several pieces of thin plastic tubing, containing tiny pellets of radioactive material are threaded through the breast, under local anesthesia and mild sedation. The patient is admitted to the hospital for three or four days, because radiation from the implants, although very small, may be harmful to some people, such as pregnant women, who may come in close contact with the patient. Information to Assist in Treatment Decisions for Newly Diagnosed or Recurring Breast Cancer . This website is not providing medical advice. All medical decisions should be made by you and your doctor.