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COMMONLY PERFORMED PROCEDURES
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Mammosite for
Radiation |
Certain patients who choose breast conservation surgery may be candidates for a new form of radiation therapy to the breast, which can reduce the duration of radiation treatment from 7 weeks to 5 days. The majority of patients who require radiation for breast cancer will undergo 7 weeks of radiation, Monday through Friday, to the entire breast. This is currently the standard of care. However, in certain facilities, the option for partial breast radiation, which can be accomplished over five days, is offered in a controlled setting because preliminary results suggest that it may be equally effective.
Recent, short-term data suggest that partial breast radiation applied through a temporary catheter placed into the lumpectomy cavity may offer the same overall results as whole breast radiation. The incidence of recurrence at the site of the original cancer, and the incidence of new cancers elsewhere in the breast appear to be similar with both forms of radiation. Although we do not yet have long-term data, several proponents of partial breast radiation feel that the short-term results are promising. Therefore, for certain selected individuals, the Mammosite catheter may be appropriate. The Radiation Therapy Department at Saint John's Hospital has recently acquired the appropriate equipment for this, and Dr. DiNome has been specifically trained in the placement of these catheters.
At Saint John's Hospital, we are selecting only patients with small tumors, negative margins, and negative lymph nodes for this procedure. Once the final pathology is available, and the above mentioned criteria are met, the Mammosite catheter will be placed into the lumpectomy cavity. The catheter has a balloon on the end, which is inflated in the cavity to create a close fit of the balloon to the cavity. Prior to beginning radiation, a CT scan of the breast is taken to ensure that minimal air and fluid remain around the balloon. If the catheter can not be made to fit appropriately, this is considered a technical failure, and the catheter may need to be removed. Standard whole breast radiation will then be required.
If the catheter is positioned well, then radiation may proceed. This involves a five day course of receiving radiation treatment twice a day. Once you arrive to the radiation facility, a radioactive seed is implanted into the catheter for a period of 10-15 minutes, the radiation is given, and then the radioactive seed is removed. Once the five days of treatment are completed, the catheter is removed by the radiation oncologist. The side effects of both types of radiation appear to be similar, and involve primarily local changes to the skin and surrounding tissue.
A consultation with a Radiation Oncologist will be arranged prior to proceeding with either radiation approach to determine which will be the best for you.
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