|
New Breast Cancer
Treatment now Available at First Coast Oncology (April,
2002)
Women in Northeast Florida
now have another option for treatment of their breast
cancer. First Coast Oncology is the first in the area to
offer Brachytherapy for treatment of early-stage breast
cancer after a lumpectomy.
Traditional radiation
therapy is delivered from the outside of the body. Brachytherapy is
a technique that delivers radiation through small,
radioactive seeds implanted inside the body. The result is
breast cancer treatment that takes less time, has fewer
side effects, and may be as effective as external beam
radiation. Scot Ackerman, M.D. states that "there is no
long term data to prove if this treatment is better than traditional, external beam radiation, but it is
an effective option for many women who, for whatever
reason, cannot tolerate a six week course of
radiation." Women who may benefit from this option are those
who must travel long distances to receive treatments,
those who are too frail to tolerate daily treatments for
many weeks and women who are traveling often and are
unable to commit to a six-week course of treatment. Prior to this
advancement in treatment, many women chose a mastectomy
to avoid radiation treatments. This alternative
treatment gives many women the option to choose breast
conserving treatment and complete radiation treatments
in less than one week.
The procedure involves the
placement of flexible plastic tubes called catheters
into the cavity where the cancerous tumor was
removed. Twice a day, the radiation oncologist injects
radiation into the tube, directly focusing on the exact
area where the tumor was removed. The total
duration of the treatment is about one week for a total
of 10 doses. Brachytherapy provides a high dose of radiation
to a small area, which may reduce some of the side
effects associated with traditional external beam
radiation. It also reduces possible damage to the
surrounding healthy tissues in the body such as the
skin, lungs, and chest wall.
Dr. Ackerman has
a long experience with brachytherapy as a treatment for
breast cancer. He has offered the procedure to eligible
patients since 1989. A new surgical device offered by
Proxima Therapeutics makes the treatment easier and more
accessible to patients. Ryan Perkins,
M.D. of First Coast Oncology states that the new device,
recently approved by the FDA, "advances the technology
to offer the treatment in shorter course that is less
invasive and better tolerated by patients." Patients
who are interested in the treatment should speak to
their surgeons or make an appointment with a physician
at First Coast Oncology to discuss and review their
options.
|
