Women with Implants See Better Results in
Breast Cancer Treatment with Brachytherapy
Better cosmetic outcomes, avoid risk of the implant
hardening compared to whole-breast radiation therapy
Dec. 1, 2008 - Women with early-stage breast cancer
who have undergone breast augmentation may be treated successfully with
a partial-breast radiation treatment called brachytherapy, according to
a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological
Society of North America (RSNA).
Patients treated with brachytherapy
have better cosmetic outcomes and avoid the risk of the implant
hardening, compared to patients who undergo whole-breast radiation
therapy.
"We are seeing an increasing number of breast
cancer patients with augmentation, said Robert R. Kuske Jr., M.D.,
clinical professor at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center
and radiation oncologist at Arizona Oncology Services in Scottsdale,
Ariz. By nature, these women are concerned about their appearance and
we need to have options for them."
According to the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons, breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery in
the U.S. with 347,500 procedures performed in 2007. This represents an
increase of 64 percent since 2000. Approximately one in eight women who
undergo breast augmentation will develop breast cancer at some point in
their lives.
The most common breast cancer treatment for
patients with breast implants is skin-sparing mastectomy and implant
exchange. Whole-breast radiation therapy after lumpectomy is an option,
but carries a substantial risk during the healing process of scar tissue
wrapping around the implant, causing it to become rock-hard and
extremely painful. This condition, known as capsular contracture, also
distorts the appearance of the breast.
Highlights
●
Brachytherapy can successfully treat early-stage breast cancer in women
with implants and preserve the breast's appearance.
●
Breast brachytherapy substantially reduces the risk of implant
hardening.
●
Approximately one in eight women who undergo breast augmentation will
develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
Brachytherapy Treatments
Brachytherapy is the placement of radioactive
sources in or just next to a tumor. The word brachytherapy comes from
the Greek brachy meaning short distance. During brachytherapy, the
radioactive sources may be left in place permanently or only
temporarily, depending upon your cancer. To position the sources
accurately, special catheters or applicators are used.
Dr. Kuske set out to determine if partial-breast
radiation with brachytherapy might offer a better outcome for women with
implants wishing to avoid mastectomy.
Breast brachytherapy is a radiation treatment that
can be given in higher doses to a small, targeted area of the breast
after lumpectomy.
Radioactive seeds are guided into place through
small plastic tubes, or catheters, with the aid of imaging and a
computer. The seeds emit high doses of radiation in short bursts.
Scar tissue is minimal, the implant remains
unaffected and treatment time is shortened from 6½ weeks with
whole-breast radiation therapy to five days with brachytherapy.
For the study, 65 women who were diagnosed with
small, early stage malignant tumors were treated with brachytherapy
after a lumpectomy. The women received two doses per day, separated by
six hours, over a five-day period. Follow-up was six months to five
years.
None of the patients experienced tumor recurrence during the
follow-up period. Cosmetic outcome was determined to be good to
excellent in 100 percent of patients with 95 percent judged excellent.
Implant hardening was not observed in any of the patients.
"Compared to traditional treatments, brachytherapy
offers an excellent alternative for these women," Dr. Kuske said. "It
offers very high rates of tumor control with fewer side effects and is
easier on their lifestyle."
Background Information
Disclosure: Dr. Kuske is a consultant for Nucletron
and for Cianna Medical.
RSNA is an association of more than 42,000
radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related
scientists committed to excellence in patient care through education and
research. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)
For patient-friendly information on brachytherapy,
visit
RadiologyInfo.org.
Links to More
News Reports About Breast Cancer and Older Women
Dec. 1, 2008 - Women with early-stage breast cancer
who have undergone breast augmentation may be treated successfully with
a partial-breast radiation treatment called brachytherapy, according to
a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological
Society of North America (RSNA). 