MammoSite
Partial Breast Irradiation with MammoSite
A significant evolution in breast cancer treatment
Helping women choose breast-conserving lumpectomy
It’s estimated that more than 250,000 new cases of breast cancer
occur among American women each year. If diagnosed early, a breast-saving
lumpectomy may be an option for many of these women – but some
who could be candidates decide against it.
Why? Until now, some women have ruled out lumpectomy because follow-up
treatment requires 6-7 weeks of full-breast radiation. Now Sacred
Heart is one of a select group of hospitals nationwide to offer MammoSite,
a procedure for partial breast irradiation (PBI) that can make the
treatment easier – and the choice for breast conservation clearer.
Advantages with PBI/MammoSite
Today’s alternative for post-lumpectomy treatment is partial-breast
irradiation. In contrast to the full breast radiation method, PBI
with MammoSite takes just five days, not many weeks. It uses a single
catheter, confining the radiation to the affected parts of the breast.
The course of treatment requires 10 visits as compared to the 30
needed during the weeks of full-breast radiation. The recurrence
rate of 1-3 percent is lower than with traditional breast radiation
therapy.
Every case of breast cancer must be carefully reviewed by specialists
to determine the best course of treatment. When lumpectomy is an
option, PBI with MammoSite can ease that choice.
What to expect
If you decide on this treatment, a deflated MammoSite balloon will
be placed in the cavity left by removal of the tumor. This is done
during or soon after the lumpectomy. A tube, or catheter, connected
to the balloon remains outside the breast. The balloon is inflated
with salt water to fill the cavity, the catheter exit site is dressed,
and the patient may go home.
On an outpatient basis, the patient visits the Center for Cancer
care for five days to receive radiation treatment. A radioactive “seed” is
placed in the inflated balloon for each treatment. No radiation source
remains in the patient’s body between treatments or after the
procedure. When the therapy is finished, the balloon is deflated
and removed along with the tube.
Breast cancer care at Sacred Heart
Because of its demonstrated excellence in breast cancer care, Sacred
Heart Hospital was selected as one of the first sites in the country
to offer the PBI/MammoSite procedure. As a patient here, you will
benefit from the medical excellence and unique compassion shared
by our Center for Cancer Care and the James and Alice Lanshe Women's Health Center.
Partial Breast Irradiation with MammoSite is not for every lumpectomy
patient. Be sure to talk to your doctor to understand if it’s
right for you.
To learn more about this procedure, call:
800-694-4777
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