New radiation device paves way for improved breast cancer treatment
By ANITuesday, July 13, 2010
WASHINGTON - A new study has found that the radiation given with the Strut-Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI(tm)) controls the rate of cancer and may reduce the complications seen with alternate types of brachytherapy.
The device concentrates dosage to the target tissue with minimum exposure of healthy surrounding tissue and organs.
“After almost two years, the patients showed that the treatment was well-tolerated without experiencing significant side effects. To date, the control rate of cancer is also very promising,” said Catheryn Yashar, associate professor of radiation oncology at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and chief of breast and gynaecological radiation services at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.
“This treatment allows us to provide internal radiation to the area without damaging the healthy tissue around the site, and minimizes radiation to a duration of only five days,” explained Yashar.
“The traditional whole breast treatment usually takes approximately six weeks.”
These findings are reported in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. (ANI)
