Dear AuntMinnie Member,
One of the more promising therapeutic approaches for early-stage breast cancer is the use of radiation therapy to kill remaining cancerous tissue following lumpectomy. But radiation therapy techniques can be time-consuming, requiring women to return daily for treatment.
Now, a new study by Canadian researchers indicates that clinicians may be able to implant radioactive seeds just once at the lumpectomy site, with the seeds remaining in place until their radioactivity has dissipated. The study is the subject of an article we're featuring in our Women's Imaging Digital Community by staff writer Shalmali Pal.
The authors used CT and ultrasound to plan and guide the placement of 70 palladium-103 seeds per patient in a procedure that lasted just one hour. So far, none of the patients have evidence of their cancer returning, and cases of skin irritation are six times less frequent when compared to external beam radiation therapy.
There were some limitations of the technique, though -- find out more by clicking here, or visit the Women's Imaging Digital Community at women.auntminnie.com.
