Advanced Breast Care Imaging's Treatment and Wellness Center now offers one of the latest advances in radiation therapy - High Dosage Radiation (HDR) Brachytherapy.  This reduces a patient's treatment time from six to seven weeks to just five days.

How does HDR Brachytherapy work?

HDR Brachytherapy is works by placing a radiation source inside the body.  The treatment has three distinct advantages:

• It places the radiation inside the lumpectomy cavity (the space left when a tumor is removed).  The radiation is targeted to the area where the cancer is most likely to recur.
• Radiation is delivered from within the cavity, limiting the amount of radiation to healthy surrounding tissues, thus reducing the potential for side-effects to occur.
• The therapy can be completed in 5 days, receiving treatment twice per day in an outpatient setting.

What happens during HDR Brachytherapy?

After lumpectomy, an uninflated balloon is placed inside the tumor resective cavity.  The applicator shaft, a tube connected to the balloon, remains outside the breast.  Once in place, the balloon is inflated with saline (sterile salt water) and a contrast agent, which is inserted through the applicator.  This contrast agent will help the doctor see the balloon more clearly.  The balloon is filled to fit the edges of the cavity, and will remain inflated for the entire time you are receiving radiation therapy.

Once the balloon is placed, radiation therapy can begin.  Radiation is emitted by a tiny radioactive seed attached by a wire to the afterloader.  The afterloader is a computer-controlled machine that houses the radioactive source.  The seed travels through the applicator and into the inflated balloon.  Where the seeds go and how much radiation is released is carefully determined by your radiation oncologist to effectively treat the cancer.  No source of radiation remains in your body between treatments or after the final treatment is completed.  The tiny radioactive seed is only inserted during your treatment and is removed upon completion of the treatment.  Neither the balloon nor the liquid inside is or will be radioactive in any way.  Once your final session is completed, the balloon is deflated and easily removed.

Upon completion of treatment, each patient is presented with flowers, a certificate of completion, and a handmade bracelet in recognition of their courage.