The KSK Breast Center of Irvine is a comprehensive breast care center dedicated to exceptional patient care.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy (Partial Breast Radiation) is a form of radiotherapy where a radiation source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment. Brachytherapy can be used alone or in combination with other therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. The treatment entails the exact placement of radiation sources directly at the site of the cancerous tumor. An important element of brachytherapy is that the irradiation is limited to only the areas surrounding the lumpectomy cavity, while sparing areas of healthy breast tissues and underlying structures such as the ribs and lungs. Treatments are delivered twice daily over a 5-day period.

There are different kinds of breast brachytherapy techniques, which vary based on the number and types of catheters used to deliver radiation.
  • Interstitial Brachytherapy which involves the insertion of 15-20 catheters in the breast surrounding the lumpectomy cavity. Individual radiation sources are then placed in each catheter.
  • Intracavitary breast brachytherapy, also known as balloon brachytherapy, which uses a single catheter attached to a balloon to deliver radiation. Although the balloon will be kept in the breast for 5 days, the radiation seed only stays inside the balloon for a few minutes.

There are also breast brachytherapy devices that combine the features of interstitial and intracavitary (e.g., Contura). These devices use multiple catheters but are inserted through a single-entry point in the breast.
  • Contura™ is a type of radiation balloon that contains five individual lumens or tubes inside the balloon. The multiple catheters make it possible for physicians to adjust the radiation dose based on the size, shape and location of the cavity, and target the radiation to the areas in most need of treatment. After the course of treatment, the Contura™ balloon is deflated inside and gently removed. Most women will feel little or no discomfort either during insertion or removal.

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