Weapons for Women: Innovative Treatment for Breast Cancer

National guidelines for breast cancer screening are designed to detect the presence and extent of breast cancer early, when
it is most easily treated. Despite the risk for false positives and the limitations of the test, many lives are saved each year.

Beginning at age 40, women at average risk for breast cancer should follow these recommendations by the American Cancer Society:

• Undergo clinical breast exams by a health professional at each annual visit.
• Receive regular mammograms—X-rays that can show the presence of cancerous lesions.

 Women selected to receive intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) immediately following breast-conserving surgery to remove cancerous lesions complete their radiation therapy by the time they wake up. Specialists at the Crittenton Cancer Center are working together to provide women the latest in breast cancer treatment.

Despite the effectiveness of radiation therapy following surgery for breast cancer, many women in North America—up to 30 percent—do not complete the recommended treatment due to factors including distance to the treatment facility and the time required to complete it (often up to seven weeks). One IORT treatment is equal to seven weeks of conventional external beam radiation therapy.

“The successful outcome of a large international trial in 2010 has paved the way for new clinical trials in the United States to study IORT’s effectiveness,” says V. Elayne Arterbery, MD, MHSA, Clinical Chief of Radiation Oncology at the Crittenton Cancer Center. “We are the only site in Michigan where IORT is available through clinical trials.”

How It Works

Administering radiation at the surgical site focuses treatment on the cells most likely to cause a recurrence of cancer and limits the damage to healthy tissue. IORT is delivered using the Xoft® Axxent® electronic brachytherapy (eBx™) controller. The balloon applicator is placed in the breast cavity, sewn in, and inflated to fill the contours.

Radiation is delivered for up to 20 minutes before the applicator is deflated and the wound is closed conventionally. Critical organs, such as the lungs and heart, are protected from radiation exposure due to this targeted approach. IORT is safe for the medical staff in the operating room as well, as the technology emits less radiation than portable X-ray machines commonly used in surgery. Also,
candidates who experience breast cancer recurrence in another area of the breast may be eligible for the procedure a second time.

Tailored Treatments
Prior to Crittenton’s acquisition of this technology, patients would have to travel as far as Chicago to receive IORT for breast cancer.
“Even though we are a small center, the Crittenton Cancer Center is providing state-of-the-art cancer care,” says Dr. Arterbery.
“Our ability to offer clinical trials using IORT demonstrates the level of knowledge and expertise we provide our patients.”

Expect Excellence
The Crittenton Cancer Center offers options for breast cancer treatment in addition to the clinical trial for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). With more than one option available, breast cancer patients can take advantage of the best breast cancer treatment plan designed to optimize their personal recovery.

Meet MammoSite®
MammoSite was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of breast cancer in 2002. Since that time, more than 50,000 women have benefited from this approach nationwide. In a similar fashion to IORT, MammoSite uses a balloon applicator to fill the breast cavity and maximize the delivery of radiation to the tumor bed. Unlike IORT, the MammoSite applicator is in place for five days and secured with a gauze pad to limit catheter movement during treatment, which occurs 24 hours a day. MammoSite treatment is delivered on an outpatient basis, with the balloon being removed on the final day of treatment. This treatment is available at the Crittenton Cancer Center.

For more information about options for breast cancer treatment at Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, call (248) 844-4025 or visit www.crittenton.com. Crittenton offers mammograms at the following locations:

Crittenton Hospital Medical Center
W. University Drive, Rochester
(248) 652-5325

Crittenton Outpatient Imaging Center
N. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills
(248) 652-5437

Crittenton Barclay Imaging Center
Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills
(248) 601-6161

Crittenton Outpatient Imaging and
Diagnostic Center
Washington Street, Oxford
(248) 969-3200

Crittenton WellPointe Imaging Center
S. Boulevard East, Rochester Hills
(248) 997-9020