In the context of breast cancer, several types of treatment can be offered to patients. Among these, radiotherapy is widely used and involves the therapeutic application of ionizing radiation. This reduces the size of the tumor and in some cases can destroy it completely. Despite not feeling anything during the treatment, which is completely painless, pain can occur afterwards in cases where the dose of radiotherapy is high.

This pain is caused because the rays also pass through healthy tissue, causing inflammation, mainly in the epidermis but also in the mucous membranes. Generally, any sharp pain caused by radiotherapy disappears some time after the end of the treatment.

Using TECAR to treat chronic pain

However, a high number of radiotherapy sessions can cause the pain to become chronic and the tissues to harden. Even several years later, many women present with pain in the irradiated zone, as well as at the exit point at the dorsal level. Depending on the origin of the wound, how the patient reacts and the treatment that they receive, this chronic pain manifests in different ways (granulomas, ulcers, infiltrates). Chronic pain sets in because repeated irradiation does not allow the debridement phase to be completed, in turn causing the pain to become chronic.

Debridement relies on several mechanisms:

• the removal of serous exudate via the lymphatic system, which in the case of breast surgery is sometimes damaged

• the removal of fibrinous exudate, rich in fibrinogen

• cellular debridement, which among other things activates the fibroblasts and the macrophages

Winback tecartherapy has been shown to have significant benefits in tackling this chronic pain. TECAR energy’s positive qualities lead to improved circulatory exchanges, notably in the lymphatic system. Its diathermic effect encourages the fluidization of fibrinogen and allows the practitioner to work on resculpting the collagen in the treatment area. The effectiveness of the therapist’s work will be enhanced by the biological effects of tecartherapy, which improves the bioavailability of proteolytic enzymes involved in tissue remodeling during healing.

Thanks to this combination of benefits – Winback tecartherapy linked with the manual skills of the practitioner – the causes of chronic post-radiotherapy pain can be managed and relieved in an effective and lasting way.