Technology insight: MammoSite--a new device for delivering brachytherapy following breast-conserving therapy.
The MammoSite (Cytyc Corporation, Marlborough, MA) breast brachytherapy applicator was designed to overcome the logistic problems created by external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and the technical difficulties associated with multicatheter-based interstitial brachytherapy. The MammoSite catheter has been shown to treat a volume of tissue equivalent to that treated by multicatheter-based brachytherapy. Using ultrasound guidance, the MammoSite applicator can be placed using an open technique at the time of lumpectomy or post-lumpectomy. Initial results have shown favorable cosmesis and few significant side effects. NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 randomizes patients between EBRT and partial-breast irradiation (PBI). The PBI arm consists of interstitial brachytherapy, MammoSite brachytherapy, or 3D conformal EBRT. This trial has the potential to provide a definitive answer regarding the benefits of PBI for certain subgroups of patients, and hence lead to more women undergoing breast conservation therapy.
Dickler
Adam
A
Department of Radiation Oncology, Women's Board Cancer Treatment Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. atd22_99@yahoo.com
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; D002404:Catheterization; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional