Radiation Oncology
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High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy
Cancer patients in radiation oncology at MeritCare have another treatment option called high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR). Treatments with HDR involve a small radiation source placed close to the area where cancer is or was removed to treat the area and prevent recurrence.
A radiation oncology physician uses the MicroSelectron Remote Afterloading System developed by Nucletron for delivering a prescribed dose of radiation. The treatments use a small radioactive source which is placed inside a catheter, inside the tumor or the cavity where the tumor was removed. The time that the radioactive source stays inside the catheter is dependent on the radiation dose prescribed by the physician. This procedure gives physicians and patients the significant advantage of applying a higher dose of radiation directly to the tumor site.
High-dose rate brachytherapy can be used in the treatment of:
- Gynecological cancers
- Rectal and colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophogeal cancer
- Prostate cancer
Some advantages of HDR brachytherapy include:
- Radiation is delivered to the specific area where the cancer is or was removed
- This treatment limits radiation of healthy tissue and reduces side effects
- The therapy can be completed in a shorter amount of time
- Radiation therapy can be completed prior to chemotherapy (if prescribed)
HDR Brachytherapy Treatment Options
HDR Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer
MeritCare is now offering high dose rate brachytherapy for breast cancer patients. With new advances in technology and early detection, women are now offered several treatment options.
Breast conservation therapy traditionally involves a lumpectomy where a cancerous tumor is removed, followed by seven weeks of whole breast external beam radiation therapy. Now, with HDR breast brachytherapy technology, patients are able to receive their radiation treatments in five days and get back to their lives. In this form of therapy, radiation is delivered to the lumpectomy cavity and a small amount of surrounding tissue.
There are two types of HDR Breast Brachytherapy:
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Multi-Catheter Breast Brachytherapy
Breast brachytherapy has been provided for many years by implanting catheters (tubes) into the breast to deliver radiation directly to the cancerous area. The catheters are implanted in and around the lumpectomy cavity (the place where the tumor was removed).
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Balloon Breast Brachytherapy
Breast brachytherapy using a balloon catheter is one of the latest advances in breast cancer treatment and is the most performed method of brachytherapy. In balloon catheter brachytherapy, the catheter is placed inside the lumpectomy cavity (the place where the tumor was removed). The balloon is then inflated with saline solution to fill the cavity.
For both types, the patient will receive a CT scan that will show the location of the catheters or balloon in the breast after placement. Then a customized treatment plan will be developed to optimize the radiation delivery to the lumpectomy cavity. Once planning is complete, the treatments will usually be scheduled twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. For each treatment, the catheters are connected to the HDR unit with tubes that allow the radioactive source to travel from the unit into the catheters. The radioactive source is positioned inside each catheter or balloon under the control of a computer to carry out the patient’s individualized treatment plan. Each treatment takes approximately twenty minutes. Following the final treatment the catheters are removed.
This treatment option is not for all patients. Please consult your doctor to see if the treatment may be right for you.
To learn more about balloon brachytherapy technology, please visit www.senorx.com/teatment.asp or www.mammosite.com.