Types of Internal Radiation Used to Treat Breast Cancer

Internal radiation is suggested to many women as an alternative to external radiation. Studies have been done to assess the benefits of internal radiation and compared to the benefits associated with external radiation. Internal radiation can be done in a couple of ways, which are multi-catheter internal radiation and balloon-catheter internal radiation.

What is multi-catheter internal radiation?

Oftentimes, after surgery to remove breast cancer tissue, radiation will be necessary. One type of radiotherapy is multi-catheter internal radiation; this is a procedure where small tubes are placed under the skin in the area where cancerous tissue is/was located. The tubes are sutured into place, so they won't move. Prior to the insertion of the tubes, the oncologist will have the patient x-rayed to determine where to place the tubes.

Low-dose radiation is delivered through small catheters into the surrounding area where the cancer may still be present. The radiation is delivered over a number of hours. It may even take longer. It may take a few days for the treatment to be completed. It is necessary for the patient to remain in the hospital for the duration of this treatment. Radioactive seeds will be placed into the catheters, and after the treatment is finished, the catheters and the seeds will be removed from your body. You will then be allowed to go home. There is no need to worry about being radioactive, because once the seeds are removed, you will be free from the effects of the radioactive material. With low-dose radiation, a human or a robotic machine will place the radioactive seeds into the catheters.

In the event that high-dose radiation is used, you will likely be treated twice daily for 5 days. Each of the treatments will take about an hour to be completed. You can leave the hospital after each treatment. With high-dose radiation, a robotic machine will place the radioactive seeds into the catheters. The treatments last for about 10 minutes, and then the seeds are removed each time. The catheters are left in place until the entire series of treatments are done; then the sutures and the catheters are removed.

What is balloon-catheter internal radiation?

Another type of internal radiation available to patients being treated for breast cancer is a procedure called a balloon-catheter internal radiation. In this breast cancer treatment a balloon-catheter (a catheter with a balloon on the end) is inserted in the area where a breast lumpectomy was done. The balloon-cath can be placed in the patient two different ways, which is during the lumpectomy surgery, or afterward in the surgeon's office. Once the balloon-catheter is inserted the surgeon inflates the balloon with saline to hold it in place.

A robotic machine places radioactive seeds into the catheter. Balloon-catheter internal radiation is done twice daily for 10 minutes over a period of 5 days. After each treatment the seeds are removed by the robotic machine, and you are free to leave the hospital or treatment facility after the treatment. You aren't radioactive after the treatment is finished, because the seeds are removed immediately after each treatment. The balloon-catheter remains in place until all of the treatments are completed; then the balloon is deflated (the saline is withdrawn from the balloon) and the catheter is removed.

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Multi-catheter internal radiation

Balloon-catheter internal radiation