Who is a candidate for breast brachytherapy?

According to guidelines released by the American Brachytherapy Society, appropriate candidates for brachytherapy are women age 45 and older diagnosed with DCIS or early-stage invasive breast cancer removed by lumpectomy that: is hormone-receptor-positive or hormone-receptor-negative.

Who is a candidate for partial breast radiation?

Any patient age > 50 years with a small, node-negative tumor who is a candidate for postoperative radiation therapy to the breast only and otherwise meets the criteria specified in the consensus guidelines can be appropriately treated with PBI.

What is breast brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation, is another way to deliver radiation therapy. Instead of aiming radiation beams from outside the body, a device containing radioactive seeds or pellets is placed into the breast tissue for a short time in the area where the cancer had been removed (tumor bed).

Is brachytherapy still used for breast cancer?

Breast brachytherapy helps prevent breast cancer from returning. The radiation therapy is given after lumpectomy or partial mastectomy. This approach is called adjuvant (additional) radiation therapy because it is adding a treatment beyond surgery.

Is radioactive seed localization painful?

The seed placement procedure can often be performed with minimal or no discomfort. The radiologist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area before starting the procedure. The local anesthetic may cause a brief burning sensation before the area becomes numb.

What is SAVI brachytherapy?

SAVI is a strut-based applicator that delivers a form of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) known as a breast brachytherapy, a five-day course of targeted radiation for early-stage breast cancer.

What is MammoSite radiation?

MammoSite is a type of targeted radiation therapy, also referred to as brachytherapy. Targeted radiation therapy delivers a high-dose of radiation from inside of the body. Tiny sources of radiation called “seeds” are placed in the body and removed after a short period of time. MammoSite is an outpatient procedure.

How bad does brachytherapy hurt?

You shouldn’t feel any pain during brachytherapy, but if you feel uncomfortable or have any concerns, be sure to tell your caregivers. Once the radioactive material is removed from your body, you won’t give off radiation or be radioactive.