Tag: radiation

Breast Cancer Alert: Teleconference on 12/13

Posted on by Greg Dennis

Shortcomings & Patient Concerns re: New Study of Breast Brachytherapy (APBI) –

What Women Need to Know Now

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

Noon EST

Call-in number:  1-480-629-9712

Please join us via teleconference to hear statements and discussion by four of the world’s leading clinical researchers in breast brachytherapy (accelerated partial breast irradiation, or APBI).

These experts will highlight their concerns about a controversial — and potentially misleading — new study on APBI presented at last week’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. They will also provide perspective on what women need to know now about breast cancer radiation therapy.

The teleconference will feature:

Robert Kuske, MD, (Phoenix) Co-Principal Investigator, NSABP B-39 study comparing five-day APBI to six-week whole breast irradiation

Peter D. Beitsch, MD, (Dallas) Co-Principal Investigator of the American Society of Breast Surgeons’ MammoSite Registry

Jayant Viadya, MD, (London, U.K.), pioneer of targeted intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT)

Rakesh Patel, MD, (Pleasanton, Ca.), Chairman, American Brachytherapy Society

This event is open to the first 50 participants, including media and other interested parties.

(Note to media: To ensure your place on the call, please contact Liz Dowling, tel. 415-388-2794; Liz@dowlingdennis.net.)

SAVI Breast Cancer Radiation Highlighted at ASTRO

Posted on by Greg Dennis

The SAVI breast brachytherapy applicator made by Cianna Medical continues to pile up favorable research results. A new study concludes SAVI is the only appropriate brachytherapy solution for patients with small breasts, hard-to-reach lumpectomy cavities, or cavities closed to the skin surface.
Physicist and lead researcher Serban Morcovescu, MS, DABR, presented these findings at the recent annual conference of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

“The SAVI 6-1Mini applicator is the only implant solution for small lumpectomy volumes,” he said.” Research from Morcovescu, a medical physicist at Texas Oncology Denton, in Denton, Texas, was one of three posters on SAVI presented at ASTRO.

While SAVI comes in several sizes, the SAVI 6-1Mini was specifically designed to deliver radiation to small or hard-to-treat lumpectomy cavities. Unlike other breast brachytherapy devices – including others that have multiple catheters – SAVI is not limited by restrictions on skin spacing or cavity volume. Its design enables physicians to carefully direct and modulate the radiation dose.

SAVI is implemented as part of breast conservation therapy (surgery to remove cancer and follow-up radiation) — in this case, radiation delivered inside the breast by brachytherapy. SAVI treatment is completed in just five days compared to the 6 weeks of treatment, 5 days a week, required by traditional, external-beam radiation.

For more information, call (toll-free) 866-920-9444 or visit http://www.CiannaMedical.com.