Breast Cancer:
Understanding Treatment and Options (4)
WHAT IS PARTIAL BREAST IRRADIATION?
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 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. Brachy therapy 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 US guidance in an outpatient setting. Once the position is confirmed by CT scan images the treatment is given twice a day for a week. The Radiation Oncologist in their office can easily remove the catheter.
Am I a candidate for this procedure?
Clearly you must discus your particular case with your care management team to determine if you are eligible for this form of radiation.
Inclusion criteria:
•Age > 50
•Tumor size < 2 cm
•Lymph node status negative
•Breast size (varies with tumor size)
•Infiltrating lobular cancers are excluded
•Extensive DCIS are excluded
How do I find a Surgeon and Radiation Oncologist in my area that performs this procedure?
Go to www.mammosite.com for more information.
ADJUVANT THERAPY
Recent studies have shown that women with early stage breast cancer may benefit from adjuvant (additional) therapy following primary treatment (mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation therapy). These studies indicate that many breast cancer patients whose underarm lymph nodes show no signs of cancer (known as node negative) may benefit from chemotherapy or hormonal therapy after primary treatment.
The use of chemotherapy in node negative patients will be determined by your age at diagnosis, stage of the cancer, tumor markers, tumor biology, and future risk of systemic recurrence. (These findings do not apply to women with pre-invasive or in situ breast cancer).
Until now, women whose underarm lymph nodes were free of cancer usually received no additional therapy because they have a relatively good chance of surviving the disease after primary treatment. However, scientists know that cancer may return in about 30% of these women. Adjuvant therapy can potentially prevent or delay the return of cancer.
TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION
Remember that you have time to consider options. Except in rare cases, breast cancer patients do not need to be rushed to the hospital for treatment as soon as the disease is diagnosed. Most women have time to learn more about the available options, make arrangements at medical facilities where treatments will be given, and organize home and work lives prior to treatment. A long delay, however, is not advisable because it may interfere with the success of your treatment.