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Mammosite®
Radiation Therapy System for Breast Cancer
Radiation oncologists at Huntington are offering
radioactive seed implantation in the treatment
of breast cancer. Mammosite® cuts treatment
time from six weeks to one week while minimizing
treatment side effects. Studies suggest that it
is as effective as traditional radiation of the
breast at preventing a recurrence of cancer.
The Mammosite® technique works by providing
a mechanism for the radiation source to be placed
inside the breast through a catheter that has
been inserted either by the surgeon during the
lumpectomy procedure, or under ultrasound guidance
in the Radiation Therapy Department up to six
weeks after surgery. This method enables physicians
to deliver a higher dose of radiation directly
to the tumor site. With traditional radiation
therapy, the radiation emanates from an external
source and radiates the entire breast, therefore
a lower dose of radiation must be administered
over a longer period of time.
“The goal of radiation therapy in the
treatment of breast cancer is not to cure the
cancer, but to decrease the possibility of a recurrence,”
noted Richard Byrnes, MD, Chief of Radiation Oncology
at Huntington. Studies have shown that 96% of
women who do experience a recurrence do so in
the same quadrant of the breast as the initial
cancer occurred. “The Mammosite® allows
us to treat just that quadrant.”
Mammosite® offers the ability to compress
the duration of treatments from 33 doses given
over six weeks, down to ten doses, administered
twice a day for five days. “This can be
a real benefit to elderly patients, as well as
those who have difficulty traveling to the hospital
for six weeks, and patients whose work schedules
make it difficult for them to be available for
a six week period, such as flight attendants,”
said Dr. Byrnes.
Another benefit is that radiation can begin
as soon as one week after surgery. With traditional
radiation, physicians normally wait until the
surgical site has completely healed, which can
take two-to-six weeks.
Dr. Byrnes stressed that not every woman is a
candidate for Mammosite®. “The procedure
is currently recommended for women who are over
45, with a tumor that is less than two centimenters,”
stated Dr. Byrnes. “The tumor must have
been completely removed during surgery, and the
cavity must be deep enough in the breast to prevent
damage to the skin when the radioactive seed is
placed in the breast.”
The Mammosite® procedure requires highly
specialized equipment. It relies on a specialized
catheter with a balloon-tipped end, which is inserted
into the cavity that remains after the lumpectomy.
During the treatment, the balloon is filled with
water, and then the radioactive pellet is inserted
into the catheter. The pellet is removed at the
end of the treatment, and the woman is able to
return to her normal activities, including being
near small children, without concern about lingering
radiation.
“Treatments are very well tolerated, with
no nausea, hair loss, or other side effects,”
explained Radiation Therapist Jeffrey Musmacher.
“Some women notice redness over the balloon
site for about one week after the treatment ends,
while others report a temporary feeling of pressure
within the breast.”
For additional information on the Mammosite,
please call 631-351-2294.
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