NEW Treatment for Breast Cancer

Partial Breast Radiation Therapy with Brachytherapy Using a Multicatheter Balloon

Contura - Multi-Lumen Balloon Applicator

North Shore Radiation Therapy is the FIRST ON LONG ISLAND to offer patients this NEW INNOVATIVE BREAST CANCER TREATMENT in ONLY 5 DAYS. This new breast cancer radiation therapy option is through internal radiation. This is commonly known as breast brachytherapy.
This is done by placing a radiation source inside the body. This process has three important advantages:

It places the radiation inside the lumpectomy cavity (the space left when a tumor is removed). The radiation is targeted to the area where cancer is most likely to recur.

Radiation is delivered from the within the cavity, limiting the amount or radiation to healthy surrounding tissue, thereby reducing the potential for side effects to occur.

The therapy can be completed in 5 days in an out patient setting.

A Simple Way To Deliver Radiation From The Inside

The Contura is a new minimally invasive method of delivering internal radiation therapy following a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Therapy is given on an outpatient basis, so there is no need for a hospital stay and the treat can be completed in 5 days
The Contura is a single small balloon catheter than (A) fits inside the tumor resective cavity (the space left after the surgeon has removed the tumor). A tiny radioactive seed (B), connected to a machine called an afterloader (C), is inserted into the balloon and delivers the radiation therapy.

This focuses the radiation dose on the area of the breast at highest risk for tumor recurrence. Radiation therapy with this device is preformed over a period of 1 - 5 days. When used alone, patients typically receive treatment twice a day for 5 days.
If your doctor feels that external beam radiation is appropriate for you, the Contura may also be used a boost therapy in conjunction with external beam radiation. A boost is a procedure that delivers additional therapy directly to the area of the breast at highest risk for tumor recurrence.
The safety and effectiveness of the brachytherapy as a replacement for whole breast irradiation in the treatment of breast cancer has not been established. Please consult with your Radiation Oncologist to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment with the Contura.