MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) for Breast Cancer

National Cancer Institute estimate in 2008, number of new breast cancer cases 182,460 females (1,990 male), and attributed deaths 40,480 females (450 males). 1 In North American and Europe, breast cancer most common malignancy affecting women. 2 Screening for breast cancer includes: Breast sell examination (Detecting early signs of breast cancer), clinical breast exam (Beyond a self examination physician check for enlarged lymph nodes) and mammogram (Examine the breast tissue using a series of X - ray images). Other advanced breast examination includes Ultrasound. A biopsy (sample of tissue) maybe necessary to confirm or disprove diagnosis breast cancer, and determine surgery is recommended. 5

Susceptible causes for breast cancer: Age (Women older than 80 years have 80% chance develop breast cancer compared to younger age women), family history of breast cancer (Genetic mutations among Ashkenazi Jewish decent approximately increase 8% breast cancers 4), radiation exposure, personal history of breast cancer, early onset of menstrual cycle, race (Studies show black women have more aggressive form of tumors, more likely to die of the disease. "Low - income women often don't receive the routine care that would allow breast cancer to be discovered earlier",), birth control pills (Use of birth control pills increase risk develop breast cancer for pre menopausal women), Hormone therapy (Increase breast cancer women taking estrogen and progesterone for four or more years), smoking, pre cancerous breast changes, excessive alcohol consumption (20% increase risk breast cancer one or more alcoholic beverage a day), weight ("Weight gain after age 18 is associated with an increase risk of post - menopausal breast cance"r 4) and High dense breast tissue shown on a mammography, distinguishing tumors more difficult. 3

Treatment options depend on the diagnosis stage of breast cancer. When surgery is recommended, women are advised by a specialist additionally have radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Least radical & most common type of breast surgery is lumpectomy ("breast-conserving" or "breast preservation" 7): Operation removes only the lump and surrounding area of health tissue, saving as much as the breast as possible. However, lumpectomy procedure limited to the extent breast cancer has not spread. 6 Research during past number of years, a lumpectomy equally effective as a mastectomy for women, only if one site of cancer in the breast and the tumor is less than four centimeters, and removed with clear margins (no cancer cells in the tissue surrounding the tumor). Also, requires women receive five to seven weeks of radiation therapy after lumpectomy (Remove any cancer cells that may be present.) According to research, women 75 years or older, after receiving radiation therapy live longer, compared to women who did not undergo radiation therapy. 7

MammoSite (MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) 10) reduce post operative radiation therapy after breast cancer surgery from six weeks to FIVE DAYS on outpatient basis. 8 Hologic medical technologies company specializing in imaging systems, diagnostic, and interventional devices developed MammoSite Radiation Therapy System. 12 "Since FDA approval in May 2002, thousands of patients worldwide have received MammoSite therapy through more than 120 breast cancer centers." During a lumpectomy, surgeon inserts into the cavity where the tumor was removed a balloon catheter. Afterwards, the balloon is filled with a saline solution and remains inflated throughout the treatment period. 10 The inflated cavity is four to five centimeters in diameter. 13 "During a five - day course of therapy (Two daily 15 minute treatments 10), a tiny radioactive seed attached to a wire is inserted into the balloon, delivering prescribed levels of radiation under precise computer control to the targeted tissue surrounding the cavity". After each day of treatment, no radiation remains in the patient's body or between treatments. Last day of treatment, the balloon and catheter is removed. 9 MammoSite Radiation Therapy is the most popular form of Brachytherapy, where a radioactive source is inserted inside or next to the area requiring treatment. 15

Common and temporary side effects of MammoSite RTS include breast pain, bruising and redness. 10

MammoSite therapy advantages compared to conventional radiation therapy: Radiation is delivered precisely where cancer is most likely to recur (MammoSite RTS minimizes exposure of radiation to the rest of the breast, skin, ribs, lungs and heart 10) , health tissue is not subjected to radiation therapy, reduce potential side effects, no hospital stay is required and during treatment for five days, accommodations can be arranged to stay nearby. 9 Also, according to research less likely (one-fifth of stage breast cancer patients) patients refuse to undergo conventional radiation therapy (six weeks) after a lumpectomy, decrease by three percent for every five mile increase in distance to travel. Without radiation treatment (recommended) increase probability breast tumor recurrence. However, MammoSite therapy encourages treatment by reducing number of treatment days from six consecutive weeks to five days. 10

MammoSite Radiation Therapy System treated more than 16,000 breast cancer patients. In 2005, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology presented a four year study of MammoSite therapy, demonstrated that no patients experienced recurrence after treatment. 10 Dr. Theresa Cavins of West County Surgical Specialists in St. Louis said: "The cosmetic results are better with partial breast irradiation and the long-term results have been excellent, so far". Also, Dr. Cavins said: "Remember that one out of eight women will contract breast cancer in their lifetime. The key is to minimize the trauma and inconvenience of the treatment. MammoSite fosters this goal". In February 2008, American Cancer Society Journal reported, largest study of patients (1,440) enrolled in the American Society of Breast Surgeon MammoSite Patient Registry, proven positive results. The study showed ninety-three percent of patients reported good to excellent outcomes and three percent of patients experienced within three years of treatment breast cancer reoccurrence. 11 Dr. Ellen Sheets, Chief Medical Officer for Hologic said: "We are very encouraged by these results and believe they support the clinical benefits of this unique technology" 12 Medical insurance coverage MamoSite RTS depend upon individual health care plan. 10

More information is available at MammoSite.com. 14

References:

1.) Breast Cancer - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

2.) Breast Cancer: The Basics - http://www.oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?c=3&s=5&ss=33&id=8320

3.) Breast Cancer - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancer/DS00328/DSECTION=4

4.) Breast Cancer Risk Factors - http://www.feminist.org/other/bc/bcfact.html

5.) Breast Cancer - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancer/DS00328/DSECTION=6

6.) Breast Cancer - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-cancer/DS00328/DSECTION=7

7.) Lumpectomy - http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy/index.jsp

8.) MAMMOSITE BREAST CANCER RADIATION DRAMATICALLY REDUCES DURATION OF TREATMENT - http://www.trinitascancercenter.org/news_display_mammosite.asp

9.) MammosSite RTS - http://www.cancercarenorthwest.com/mammosite.html

10.) Frequently Asked Questions - http://www.healtheast.org/breast_care/MammoSite_Physicians/FAQs.cfm

11.) New breast cancer method shrinks conventional treatment time - http://edwardsvillejournal.stltoday.com/articles/2008/03/01/news/sj2tn20080301-0302edw-5daycancer.ii1.txt

12.) Three Year Analysis of Treatment Efficacy, Cosmesis, And Toxicity Support Use of The Holgogic Mammosite Radiation Therapy System - http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/98485.php

13.) Radiation Oncology Physics - http://radonc.usc.edu/USCRadOnc/Downloadable/PalmOS/MammoSite.html

14,) BREAST CANCER CENTER - http://www.hackley.org/medical_services/cancer_center/5day.php

15.) Brachytherapy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachytherapy