Targeted radiation therapy new option for breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among American women. Roughly 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The estimated incidence in 2008 for breast cancer now is 184,450, and estimated death will be 40,930.
Fortunately most breast cancer today is caught early. Thanks to self breast examination and better mammography screening.
Years ago the only treatment for breast cancer patient was mastectomy that is complete removal of the cancerous breast. However, in the past 25 years there have been significant advances. They include breast conservation technique development that involves lumpectomy, surgical removal of only the tumor, followed by radiation therapy and sometimes chemotherapy. Long term studies have shown that survival outcome for breast conservation treatment is as good as for mastectomy, and many women may prefer it.
Traditional breast radiation treatment is given from outside the body to the whole breast once a day for about six (6) to seven (7) weeks. This can damage normal breast cells in its pathway, causing side effects. As such doctors are now delivering targeted radiation therapy only to the part of the breast, the tumor bed, from inside the body, called brachytherapy.
One such technique is Mammosite balloon treatment. In this procedure a catheter with a small, soft balloon at the tip is temporarily implanted into the breast area from where the tumor was removed. A tiny high-dose radioactive seed is then placed within the balloon by a computer-controlled machine for radiation treatment.
Typical treatment duration is twice a day for one week, each treatment with 15 minutes or less for radiation delivery. At the end of one week of radiation treatment, the balloon is deflated and easily removed from the patient.
This targeted Mammosite treatment is not only completed in a much shorter period of time, only five days, it also significantly minimizes radiation side effects, such as skin reaction, scarring, fatigue and damage to surrounding organs.
A Simple Way To Deliver Radiation From The Inside
The MammoSite RTS is a new minimally invasive method of delivering internal radiation therapy following a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Therapy is given on an outpatient basis, so there is no need for a hospital stay and the treat can be completed in 5 days
The MammoSite® RTS is a single small balloon catheter than (A) fits inside the tumor resective cavity (the space left after the surgeon has removed the tumor). A tiny radioactive seed (B), connected to a machine called an afterloader (C), is inserted into the balloon and delivers the radiation therapy
This focuses the radiation dose on the area of the breast at highest risk for tumor recurrence. Radiation therapy with this device is preformed over a period of 1 - 5 days. When used alone, patients typically receive treatment twice a day for 5 days.
If your doctor feels that external beam radiation is appropriate for you, the MammoSite® RTS may also be used a boost therapy in conjunction with external beam radiation. A boost is a procedure that delivers additional therapy directly to the area of the breast at highest risk for tumor recurrence.
The safety and effectiveness of the brachytherapy as a replacement for whole breast irradiation in the treatment of breast cancer has not been established. Please consult with your radiation oncologist to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment with the MammoSite® RTS.
The Procedure
After lumpectomy, an uninflated balloon is placed inside the tumor resective cavity. The applicator shaft, a tube connected to the balloon, remains outside the breast (Figure 1). Once in place, the balloon is inflated with saline (sterile salt water) and a contrast agent, inserted through the applicator. (The contrast agent helps your doctor see the MammoSite balloon more clearly.) The balloon is filled to fit the edges of the cavity (Figure 2). The balloon will remain inflated for the entire time you are receiving radiation therapy.
 |
Figure 1
|
 |
Figure 2
|
By placing the balloon inside the tumor resection cavity, the radiation source will be directly next to the area of the breast that is at the highest risk for tumor recurrence.
The MammoSite® RTS can be inserted either:
* During the lumpectomy procedure (at the time of the tumor removal)
* In a separate procedure under local anesthesia up to 10 weeks after the lumpectomy.
After the balloon is inserted, that area of the breast is cleaned, bandaged and you may return home. Radiation therapy can now begin under the direction of your physician.
Once The Balloon Is Placed, Radiation Therapy Can Begin
Treatment with the MammoSite® RTS is given on an outpatient basis, that is you do not require a hospital stay. Your radiation oncologist will develop a radiation plan customized for you. When used alone, typical treatment with the MammoSite® RTS would require 2 brief appointments a day for 5 days at North Shore Medical Accelerator or our oncology office at Huntington Hospital. If used as a boost inconjunction with external beam radiation, the MammoSite® RTS would require 2 brief appointments for only 1 day.
Radiation is emitted by a tiny radioactive seed attached by a wire to an afterloader. The afterloader is a computer-controlled machine that houses the radioactive source. The seed travels through the applicator into the inflated balloon (Figure 3). Where the seeds goes and how much radiation is released is carefully determined by your radiation oncologist to effectively treat the cancer.
 |
Figure 3
|
No source of radiation remains in your body between treatments or after the final treatment is completed. The tiny radioactive seed is only inserted during your treatment and is removed upon complete of your treatment. Neither the balloon nor the liquid inside is or will be radioactive in any way.
Once the final session is completed, the balloon is deflated and the MammoSite® RTS is easily removed. In most cases, you will not even require anesthesia for the removal (Figure 4).
 |
Figure 4
|
DR. HASAN MURSHED:Targeted radiation therapy new option for breast ... : An article written by Dr. Murshed in local news paper explaning the new targeted radiation therapy for breast cancer patients.
New cancer treatment a ‘blessing' - The News Herald : The press release by the Bay Medical Center announcing the introduction of Mammosite - 5 day targeted radiation treatment for breast cancer patients.
Breast Cancer Radiation: Watch Dr. Murshed interview with the local TV station to explain a new way of treating breast cancer within a protocol that is available at the Bay Regional Cancer Center. Click Health Watch to see the news and the video.
Mammosite Balloon Radiation Treatment is now available at Bay Medical Center. Click the above link.
Television Interviews
Dr. Murshed was recently interviewed by local news casts regarding his expert knowledge on treating cancer. Click on a video link below to view the video and more.
- Mammosite Video 1
Learn about new breast cancer treatment.
- Mammosite Video 2
Learn about new breast cancer treatment.
Related Web Sites
MammoSite 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy - Home Page : This is the mammosite website explaining all in detail about the Mammosite treatment for breast cancer patients. This webite discusses breast cancer, treatment options, patients stories and provides resources to the breast cancer patients.
" My life is really busy. To say you're too busy for your cancer treatments is crazy, but still, I didn't want all that time spent in radiation therapy." |
|
| Patrice Horstman, Flagstaff, AZ | Read Patrice's Story |
" Cancer is not a breeze, but going through (MammoSite) treatment was so easy." |
|
| Gail, Greenwood, SC | Read Gail's Story |