One-Week Treatment for Breast Cancer

A new treatment for breast cancer, called accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), requires only one week and has shown similar cure rates as traditional radiation treatments.

Following lumpectomy, small plastic tubes are inserted into the region of the breast that contains the tumor. The patient then undergoes a series of 15-minute treatments, typically twice per day for one week, in which a wire with a radioactive source at the tip is inserted into the breast. The radiation is emitted no further than a few centimeters, killing any remaining tumor cells in the area, while minimizing the radiation dose to other healthy tissues. This shorter course would make treatment easier for people who have difficulty getting to a treatment facility every day for five to seven weeks. In addition, this technique preserves the breast.

"Research at many centers worldwide now indicates a low risk of local recurrence with APBI,” noted Dr. James R. Gray, radiation oncologist at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center in Nashville (TN, USA).

Implant Sciences Corp. (Wakefield, MA, USA) is promoting the new treatment with the development of a lower-energy radiation source that has the potential to replace current treatments only offered in large hospitals with concrete facilities. "Our low energy source does not require an expensive concrete radiation facility and can allow small community hospitals around the country and around the world to offer APBI for all women,” commented Dr. Anthony J. Armini, CEO of Implant Sciences.




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