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.

Mammosite Breast Brachytherapy

Last year, North Shore Radiation Therapy continued it's groundbreaking treatments for breast cancer. In 2007, more women underwent targeted partial breast radiation therapy, called MammoSite, at North Shore Radiation Therapy, than anywhere else in the region.

MammoSite was approved by the FDA in 2002. Since then, more than 35,000 women have been treated with this remarkable procedure which is the most widely utilized and accepted method of accelerated partial breast irradiation. MammoSite therapy delivers radiation internally, directly to the site of the tumor, where the likelihood of recurrence is greatest.

North Shore Radiation Therapy is proud to play a role in "success stories" for women who have battled breast cancer. Many of the community's surgeons from Suffolk County and surrounding areas have participated in TCC's MammoSite program, contributing to this great achievement. This New Year, the physicians and staff of North Shore Radiation Therapy look forward to spreading the word on this innovative treatment and helping more and more women get back to their normal lives.

This is how MammoSite 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy simplifies breast cancer treatment…

1. Placement

After the breast cancer tumor is removed (lumpectomy), a small, soft MammoSite balloon attached to a thin tube (catheter) is placed inside the lumpectomy cavity through a small incision in the breast.

• The balloon is “inflated” with saline solution so that it fits snugly into the cavity. It remains inflated during the 5-day treatment.
• A small portion of the catheter remains outside the breast; this is secured to a cushioned gauze pad to prevent movement of the catheter.

2. Treatment

• Treatment is planned by a radiation oncologist who will take images of the MammoSite balloon catheter in the breast and determine the amount of radiation needed.
• During therapy, the portion of the catheter that remains outside your breast is connected to a computer-controlled High Dose Rate (HDR) machine that inserts a radiation “seed” to deliver the therapy.
• Once therapy is complete, the seed is removed, the catheter is unplugged, and you will be free to return to your normal daily activities.
• No radiation remains inside your breast in between treatments.

3. Removal

• After 5 days of treatment, your MammoSite balloon catheter will be removed, usually on the last day of treatment.
• The balloon is gently removed through the same incision made to place it.

For more information, call North Shore Radiation Therapy at

(631) 864-5600 or visit their website at www.licancer.com