Cancer Centers of North Carolina Offers New 5-Day Breast Cancer Therapy

October 28, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Cancer Centers of North Carolina and Carolina Breast Care Specialists are the first cancer facilities in Raleigh to offer the SAVI(TM) applicator, an advanced therapy for breast cancer as part of breast-conservation therapy. The SAVI applicator can provide important advantages for women with early-stage breast cancer and is designed to make the benefits of breast-conservation therapy and brachytherapy available to more women.

Breast-conservation therapy includes lumpectomy- the surgical removal of the cancerous tissue within the breast plus tissue immediately around the tumor - followed by radiotherapy. This approach is an alternative to mastectomy, which removes the entire breast and is often followed by breast reconstruction. The new SAVI applicator delivers a form of radiation therapy known as breast brachytherapy. This multi-catheter applicator treats the tissue surrounding the lumpectomy cavity from the inside out. The device is inserted into the lumpectomy cavity through a small incision. The physician then gently expands the bundle of catheters so the radiation dose will conform to the size and shape of the area to be treated.

This approach, is an alternative to traditional breast-conservation radiotherapy. Breast brachytherapy typically involves two treatments per day for only five days. This shorter time frame makes brachytherapy more convenient than traditional, external-beam radiation which is delivered daily five times a week and takes approximately six weeks. In addition, breast brachytherapy with SAVI can minimize radiation exposure of healthy tissue, such as the skin, heart, lungs and ribs.

"This technology overcomes the limitations of older single catheter balloon brachytherapy devices. SAVI makes it possible for us to provide more appropriately selected women breast brachytherapy," said Kolby Sidhu M.D., radiation oncologist.

Surgeon, Sean Canale, stated "The option of accelerated partial breast radiation fits well with the last 25 years of surgical efforts to offer quality cancer care and breast conservation to patients. The SAVI device expands the range and number of patients that we can offer this option to."

Mrs. Gretchen Horton, who is receiving treatment for breast cancer was disappointed when she discovered that she was not a candidate for MammoSite ®. She stated that receiving brachytherapy with the use of the SAVI technology, "...has been a blessing to me." Mrs. Horton stated that she recommends it to other women, and is very happy that she does not have to travel for radiotherapy 5 days per week for 6 weeks.

Medical Oncologist, Elizabeth Campbell, MD added, "Completing radiotherapy in a timely fashion and with minimal toxicity facilitates moving on to systemic therapy, with hormone blockers, and in some women, chemotherapy, in an efficient fashion, with optimal outcomes."

Cancer Centers of North Carolina and Carolina Breast Care Specialists are among the first cancer centers in the U.S. to offer SAVI. 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.

About Carolina Breast Specialists

Carolina Breast Care Specialists was founded to provide women with access to state of the art quality specialty care. Women at our practice can be confident that their issues will be addressed with the attention and importance that they deserve. Patients never feel they are competing with other medical issues for attention. We work with a highly skilled team of experts in breast disease to create an individualized care program involving not only surgical oncology but also medical oncology, radiation oncology, and plastic surgery. Where appropriate, a strong effort is made to offer breast conservation using oncoplastic techniques. Patients are also provided with access to the latest in cancer genomics

www.carolinabreastcarespecialists.com

About Cancer Centers of North Carolina

Cancer Centers of North Carolina (CCNC) has been providing comprehensive cancer care in the greater Triangle area for 30 years. Beginning as a single physician practice, originally named Raleigh Hematology Oncology, CCNC has grown to a physician staff of thirteen medical oncologists, two radiation oncologists, a head and neck surgical oncologist and a gynecologic oncologist, and offers services in Raleigh, North Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, and Dunn. The practice provides advanced state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services including administration of chemotherapy, biologic and targeted therapies, Computed Tomography (CT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), laboratory and pharmacy services, and an extensive clinical trials program connecting patients to leading cancer investigators around the country. CCNC brings the best of medical science and cancer care support services together in one pleasant, convenient, community-based organization.

www.cancercentersofnc.com

SOURCE Cancer Centers of North Carolina