Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Partial Breast Irradiation
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
Treatment Decisions
Additional Therapy
Treatment Team
In the past there have been several modes of radiation therapy delivery to treat breast cancer. Most involve treatment of the entire breast as well as a boost to the tumor bed to decrease the risk of local recurrence. Small catheters were inserted into the breast to deliver the boost to the tumor bed.
These catheters had several problems with cosmesis and patient tolerance. At the present time, we are revisiting the use of partial breast irradiation for the treatment of small Stage I breast carcinomas.
This treatment involves the use of HDR (High Dose Radiation) to treat the tumor bed in women whose cancers have a low risk of local recurrence. Brachytherapy treatment lasts one week as opposed to six weeks for conventional external beam radiation.
A balloon catheter is inserted either through an open procedure in the operating room or with ultrasound guidance in an office setting. Once the position is confirmed by CT scan images the treatment is given twice a day for a week. The catheter can be easily removed in the office.
Am I a candidate for this treatment?
You must discuss your particular case with your care management team to determine if you are eligible for this form of radiation.
Inclusion criteria:
• Age >55
• Tumor size <2cm
• Lymph node status "negative"
• Breast size (varies with tumor size)
• Infiltrating lobular cancers are excluded
• Extensive DCIS are excluded
