Daytona Beach, FL - Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center (FHMMC) is now offering 1-day treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients.
The new technology FHMMC will be using is called the Xoft® Axxent® Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx®) System®, which can be used to treat many types of cancers all throughout the body. FHMMC will use the technology to focus on early-stage breast cancer.
The therapy that this new technology aids in is called intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), which requires fewer and cheaper treatments. Instead of treating externally with beam radiations, IORT will treat the breast internally.
“Some women, such as those who live in rural areas, women who are working, and women who are caretakers for their families, may find traditional breast cancer treatment difficult,” says Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center general surgeon, Dr. Ronald Rasmussen. “Because IORT only requires one dose of radiation, patients can typically return to their normal daily activities within days, instead of weeks like traditional radiation treatment.”
The internal surgical treatment procedure, called a lumpectomy, allows for a patient's team to give them a potent dose of radiation as well as the surgery in one day. After the surgery, an x-ray source is put into the lumpectomy cavity where a complete dose of radiation is given, taking less than 10 minutes.
“From inside the breast, IORT targets cancer cells and spares healthy tissue, such as the heart, lungs, and ribs,” says Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center radiation oncologist, Dr. Shravan Kandula. “In addition, two major studies have shown IORT is not only effective, but it also has fewer side effects than traditional radiation, making it a viable treatment option for appropriate patients.”
More data is continuously coming out that shows a favorability towards IORT treatment in early-stage breast cancer patients.
“It’s really revolutionizing how we are treating early-stage breast cancer. With Xoft, we are able to reduce the amount of time that a woman has to go into the hospital for radiation therapy,” says Lindsay Cashio, spokeswoman for FHMMC. “It’s only for early-stage breast cancer patients so there are specific criteria, but, for those women who are candidates for this procedure, it can really change the way we deliver care."
Photo courtesy of FHMMC.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
