Non-invasive technology can help early-stage breast cancer patients
Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center is the first cancer treatment facility in the state of New Jersey to offer its breast cancer patients AccuBoost radiotherapy technology, an image-guided, non-invasive adaptive breast brachytherapy treatment. The accuracy and non-invasiveness of AccuBoost allows early-stage breast cancer patients who have undergone a lumpectomy to retain more healthy breast tissue, thus making a significant difference in patient outcomes.
"AccuBoost uses real-time, image-guidance via mammography to localize the treatment," says Clarissa Henson, MD, Chair of Radiation Oncology at Trinitas. "This technology is far superior to the current standard of care treatment. On average, only 51% of the treatment area receives 90% of the dose when using the current standard of care. With AccuBoost and image-guidance, targeting is improved and a more effective dose of radiation is delivered to the tumor site."
AccuBoost is a novel, non-invasive image-guided breast brachytherapy treatment. By allowing doctors to see the site where cancer was removed and to treat the surrounding breast tissue area more effectively, AccuBoost targets the extent of the disease and specifically treats the infected tissues. In this way, it identifies areas where cancer might likely reoccur if left untreated.
The image-guided feature of AccuBoost allows for the visualization of the tumor bed directly as the breast is immobilized and compressed through mammography. Imaging of the lumpectomy cavity is the first step in the accurate delivery of therapeutic radiation. The second and third steps involve delivery of radiation vertically and horizontally.
The AccuBoost Technique takes the guess work out of radiation therapy by providing a simple precise method for accurate boost dose targeting. The doctors are able to position the applicator so that it delivers the therapeutic dose accurately and reliably, with limited radiation exposure to the skin, heart, and lungs. "The AccuBoost dose is uniform over the portion of the breast that is being irradiated," explains Dr. Henson. "Focused homogenous doses, free of hot spots or cold spots, reduce unnecessary exposure of healthy tissue and organs to radiation."
"AccuBoost allows patients to see the area that is being treated," Dr. Henson continues. "Since the diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most traumatic for any woman, being able to see treatment as it is delivered through this new technology helps patients be informed and involved in their care."
After seeing excellent results using AccuBoost for the Boost portion of Whole Breast Radiotherapy, Dr. Henson began to offer Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) using the AccuBoost technology. With this technique, the radiation portion of Breast Conserving Therapy (BCT) can be delivered in just 5 to 10 days. This is both a powerful and convenient option as it treats only a portion of the breast to the desired dose and does so on a very patient friendly treatment schedule of once or twice a day treatments for 1-2 weeks. The schedule for treatment can be made compatible with the patients' work or home-life schedules.
"In a few short years, Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center has brought significant innovation to the patients we serve in the Central New Jersey region," emphasizes Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinitas Regional Medical Center. "We were the first cancer treatment center in New Jersey to offer Rapid Arc™ radiotherapy technology, a fast and precise form of treatment using advanced technology from Varian Medical Systems. Now we are first with AccuBoost, another clear example of why Trinitas is a regional leader in cancer care."
To make an appointment at the Cancer Center or for further information, please contact us at 908-994-8000.
About Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center
Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center (TCCC) is located in the Andrew H. Campbell Pavilion, a state-of-the-art 28,000-square-foot, five-story building on the campus of Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The Center offers the most advanced technology available to cancer patients, including the following "firsts" in the state: the first Trilogy Linear Accelerator for radiation therapy, the first Rapid Arc radiotherapy technology, and the first AccuBoost Image-Guided Breast Irradiation. For more information about cancer care at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center call 908-994-8000.
Contact Information
Doug Harris
908-994-5138
dharris@trinitas.org
Yolanda Fleming
908-994-5139
Yfleming@trinitas.org