Brachytherapy:

Some patients qualify for local radiation therapy instead of whole breast
treatment. A balloon catheter will be placed at the site of lumpectomy. For more information on brachytherapy, please visit Xoft’s website: www.xoftinc.com

The local recurrent rate of breast cancer after lumpectomy and radiation to the entire breast is 5-10% after 10 years. The majority (80%) of these recurrences occur close to the site of the initial cancer. Researchers have found equally good results by implanting radioactive seeds around the site of lumpectomy. More recently, investigators including our group at Rush, are treating patients with an inflatable balloon and an Iridium seed in its center placed inside the breast, the site of lumpectomy, for one week. The treatment is given twice a day for 15 minutes and the balloon is deflated and removed afterwards. Our preliminary results with over 120 patients treated at Rush and two other medical centers for the past 2 years indicate no recurrence, minimal complication and good cosmetic outcome (ref. 7). PBR, otherwise known as brachytherapy, is suitable for smaller breast cancers limited to one part of the breast.

Radiation treatment of breast cancer (fig. H) is possible with a Mammosite device (fig. I) in 1 week replacing traditional 6 week treatment.