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Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation
Helping you get your life back in 5 days
When your cancer is found early, your doctor can determine if 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy could be used following your lumpectomy. It only takes 5 days, and it targets the radiation at the area that the cancer is most likely to recur. This method of radiation therapy works from inside the lumpectomy cavity vs. whole breast radiation, which comes from the outside.
Twice a day for five days, a computer-controlled machine sends the radioactive isotopes through tiny sealed pellets down the lumens of the catheter to deliver iodine or palladium radiation to the tumor site.
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI)
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) is an effective, post-lumpectomy radiation therapy that reduces your treatment from six weeks to just five days. APBI is almost always delivered with a specialized form of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (internally delivered radiation therapy), but it can also by done with short-course external radiation. This means much less stress on you and your family, less time away from home and work and a quick return to your normal routine. It requires no sedation so you can drive yourself back and forth to treatments.
APBI Benefits
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Post-surgical radiation treatment for patients with early stage breast cancer
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Effectively destroys remaining cancer cells
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High precision techniques enable maximum dosage with minimum risk of side effects
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No sedation necessary and shorter treatment times help minimize interruption of normal activities
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No radiation remains in your body after treatment
How Does Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) Work?
APBI is generally suited for early stage breast cancer cases where breast preservation is a priority. During or soon after your lumpectomy, your surgeon will insert a catheter through the skin and into the cavity left by the removed tumor. Once inserted, it is left in place for the rest of the treatment course. APBI then uses tiny tubes that deliver radiation through the catheter to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the breast tissue and to help prevent a recurrence.
Treatment Process
Twice a day for five days, a computer-controlled machine sends the radioactive isotopes through tiny sealed pellets down the lumens of the catheter to deliver iodine or palladium radiation to the tumor site. The tubes may stop at multiple depths and for varying times in the catheter to deliver a highly targeted dose of radiation in less than 10 minutes. The tubes are then removed and you are free to go on your way. The treatment is repeated six hours later. No radiation remains in your body after Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation treatment.
Side Effects
APBI is a safe and effective radiation treatment for breast cancer. As with any radiation procedure, accelerated partial breast radiation therapy may cause side effects, such as:
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Fatigue
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Swelling and heaviness in the breast
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A skin reaction, similar to a sunburn, in the treated area
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Sharp, shooting pain during radiation therapy performed after surgery
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Arm numbness or stiffness after lymph node surgery