Radiation Therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery for the purpose of "local control," or trying to ensure that the breast cancer does not come back in the same area. It is usually recommended after breast-conserving surgery (i.e. "lumpectomy") and sometimes even after mastectomy. If there are several lymph nodes that also have cancer cells, then sometimes it is recommended to treat other lymph node areas with radiation. The need for radiation therapy is often determined by the results of surgery, and therefore a full discussion regarding the risks and benefits of radiation therapy is conducted with the
radiation oncologist after surgery.