Women in Chattanooga with early-stage breast cancer now have access to advanced radiation therapy that can be completed in five days, offered at the Erlanger Health System.
The SAVI applicator delivers a form of radiation known as brachytherapy. This approach targets the tumor site from inside the breast and involves two treatments per day for five days. The shorter timeframe makes brachytherapy more convenient than traditional radiation, which is delivered in four to six weeks, said officials.
Patients with early-stage breast cancer are candidates for breast-conservation therapy. Instead of a mastectomy with complete removal of the breast, women undergo a lumpectomy – surgical removal of the cancerous tissue – followed by radiation to eradicate residual microscopic disease. By targeting radiation to the lumpectomy cavity, SAVI minimizes radiation to healthy tissue, reducing damage to the skin, heart and lungs.
The multi-catheter SAVI applicator is inserted into the lumpectomy cavity through a small incision. The physician expands the bundle of catheters to conform to the size and shape of the cavity. The device’s design allows oncologists to sculpt radiation dose to a patient’s specific anatomy, which increases the number of women who are eligible for treatment. Clinical studies show that by providing targeted radiation where it is needed most, side effects are reduced and women have a better cosmetic outcome, said officials.
“SAVI allows me to effectively treat a woman’s breast cancer and get my patients back to normal life as soon as possible,” said Norleena Gullett, MD, radiation oncologist at Erlanger.
Traditional radiation treatment after a lumpectomy involves irradiation of the entire breast. Many women travel long distances to receive the treatment – which can put additional stress on their families, jobs and financial resources. In contrast, radiation with SAVI can be completed in five days, and patients typically resume normal activities the next week, said officials.
Dr. Gullett says her patients love the convenience of SAVI and the excellent cosmetic results.
The SAVI technology was developed by Cianna Medical, Inc., (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) a women's health company dedicated to the early treatment of breast cancer.