Multi-Lumen MammoSite device to treat breast cancer now available at Jupiter Medical Center

Dec 4 2009

Women fighting breast cancer after a lumpectomy have a new weapon in the battle, now available at Jupiter Medical Center's Foshay Cancer Center. Today, the hospital began treating patients with the Multi-Lumen MammoSite(R) device, just approved in September by the FDA.

"There have been stunning advances in breast cancer treatment in recent years," said John Rimmer, M.D., Board Certified breast cancer surgeon. "Women today have many more treatment options that are less invasive and of shorter duration, and this new MammoSite advance is significant."

The new device allows physicians to shape the radiation dose and more precisely target the area where a tumor has been removed -- the site where residual cancer cells are most likely to cause a recurrence. The treatment enables women to avoid side effects that come with traditional radiation therapy, which treats the whole breast, and conserves healthy breast tissue.

MammoSite(R), approved by the FDA in 2001, was developed to shorten radiation treatment time, with treatment completed in five days, as opposed to six to eight weeks for conventional therapy.

A week or two after surgery, a small balloon at the end of a catheter is inserted into the cavity where the cancerous tumor was removed. The experience and expertise of the physician is critical to ensure the radiation conforms to the cavity. Dr. Rimmer and the team at Jupiter Medical Center have the necessary background, having used the general MammoSite device for several years.

In the procedure with the newest device, the balloon is inflated with saline, and small radioactive "seeds" are inserted that deliver radiation directly to the tissue during treatment. The new Multi-Lumen MammoSite device also makes the seed implant procedure, known as brachytherapy, an option for women who previously were not candidates. Jupiter Medical Center is using the new device on a limited market release basis.

"This new technology increases the number of women who can be treated with this device," Dr. Rimmer said. "Its advanced sophistication allows women with smaller breasts to be appropriate candidates, where they were not with the general MammoSite. Many more women will be able to benefit from this technology."