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Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center Participating in Partial Breast Irradiation Clinical Trial
Last updated: 01/15/2007
The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center has been approved to participate in a national clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of partial breast irradiation utilizing two newer methods, MammoSite and Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT).
MammoSite is a procedure that involves delivering radiation from inside the lumpectomy cavity, directly to the tissue surrounding the cavity where cancer is most likely to recur. Radiation therapy with MammoSite can be completed in five days, allowing patients to get back to their daily activities sooner.
After the surgeon removes the tumor, a catheter is used to place an uninflated balloon inside the tumor cavity. Once in place, the balloon is inflated with a saline solution and a radioactive source will be connected twice a day for five days. The source will deliver the radiation dose then be disconnected. On the day of the last treatment, the balloon will be deflated and removed from the breast.
Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy is a technique in which the beams of radiation used in the treatment are shaped to match the lumpectomy cavity, which more effectively spares the healthy tissue. Using 3D conformal beams, a higher daily dose of radiation is delivered over five days rather than seven weeks.
The process begins with taking a three-dimensional image of the lumpectomy cavity, often using computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET/CT) imaging. The image is then analyzed by a computer program, which designs radiation beams that follow the shape of the lumpectomy site. During treatment, beams from several directions precisely match the tumor's height, width and depth. The patient is immobilized in a customized mold to target the radiation more accurately to the treatment site and not the adjacent tissues.
"This trial is a Phase III randomized trial, which means that patients who meet the criteria will be randomly selected to either receive the traditional protocol using whole breast irradiation or the one of the newer partial breast irradiation options," said Angie Hayes, manager of Radiation Oncology at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center.
"Traditional radiation therapy can encompass six to seven weeks of daily treatment," said Shawn McKinney, MD, surgical breast oncologist with the Comprehensive Breast Center. "Many women may choose mastectomy over saving their breast due to distance and financial issues.
"Some of our patients live so far away that traveling a long distance daily for seven weeks can be a burden physically an financially. For those women who qualify for these studies, this can be a great option."
Both partial breast treatments have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the purpose of both studies is to determine whether they should be considered the standard of care for breast cancer treatment in the future. These studies are looking at quality of life issues as well as cosmetic appearance of the breast after radiation.