Breast Brachytherapy
Redwood Regional Medical Group offers state-of-the-art technology to all its patients. Certain breast cancer patients may benefit from a new radiation device that Redwood makes available. The decision about whether it is right for you is made with your Radiation Oncologist. For your education, here is some information to consider.
"Brachytherapy" is a broad term that relates to the ability to insert something in the body that can deliver radiation close to or directly in a tumor. With breast cancer, this had been done with the use of a balloon device inserted in the breast after a lumpectomy. Now there is a device, known as the SAVI applicator, that can deliver more radiation, more precisely to the tumor in a shorter period of time. Because of its preciseness it is also referred to as Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI).
With the SAVI there is less radiation exposure to normal tissue - and thus less potential for injury to healthy tissue that does not need to be treated. With the SAVI device the Radiation Oncologist can contour the radiation dose specific to the patient's anatomy, due to its ability to pull the dose away from the skin surface and chest wall simultaneously.
Breast conservation therapy describes the surgeon's ability to perform a lumpectomy instead of more radical surgery when it can be followed by radiation therapy. Use of the SAVI can potentially increase the number of women who can avail themselves of lumpectomies because of the very specific radiation therapy that can follow. Lumpectomy-plus-radiation is a widely used alternative to mastectomy, where the entire breast is removed.
How does SAVI work?
The SAVI applicator, which received clearance from the FDA in 2006, is a small device that is composed of multiple catheters through which the radiation dose can be individually controlled by the radiation oncologist and physicist, who are specialists in planning and overseeing the therapy. The device is inserted in the breast (into the lumpectomy cavity) and remains there for the week in which treatment is given. Radiation is delivered through the applicator twice daily for approximately five days, then the device is removed. Its unique design allows it to be opened in a way that better conforms to the size and shape of the lumpectomy cavity.
This type of breast brachytherapy is not for every breast cancer patient. To find out if APBI with the SAVI device is right for you, discuss your options with your Radiation Oncologist.