Changes in erythrocyte membrane lipids in breast cancer after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

CMF and radiation treatment alter the erythrocyte membrane architecture in breast cancer patients by inducing free radical formation in the system. The increased free radicals hydrolyze the unsaturated fatty acyl chains of membrane phospholipids and thus alter the membrane lipid profile. To assess the erythrocyte membrane damage caused by CMF chemotherapy and radiation treatment among breast cancer patients and to find a way which can protect them from the observed toxic manifestations form the basis of this study.