Accelerated Partial Breast Radiation Treatments
MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) ™
The MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) ™ delivers radiation directly to tissue where cancer is most likely to recur. Radiation therapy is targeted, and therefore protects healthy tissue and minimizes side effects. MammoSite Radiation Therapy can be completed in fewer days than other radiation treatments.
Contura®
Contura® is a breast brachytherapy device, used after a lumpectomy for some patients with early-stage breast cancer. The doctor uses the Contura balloon to fill the empty space left by a lumpectomy. Because most breast tumors are not perfectly round, lumpectomy cavities are often irregularly shaped. Contura uses a vacuum feature to gently pull the breast tissue needing treatment into contact with the balloon surface. A targeted radiation dose is administered from the balloon inside the breast. Radiation is administered only where it is needed, sparing exposure to normal breast tissue.
Benefits of Contura
- Highly focused radiation often cuts treatment time dramatically (five days versus six to seven weeks of treatment)
- Refined placement of radiation sources and targeted radiation doses minimize damage to healthy breast and surrounding tissues
Resources
For more information about breast cancer, research and treatments, please visit the
American Cancer Society website.
