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Breast Cancer Treatment Reduces Radiation Therapy From Weeks to Days

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 June 2007, 09:01 CDT

DALLAS, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Methodist Dallas Medical Center is the first hospital in Texas to offer an advanced radiation therapy that makes partial breast radiation available to more women, with less damage to the skin, and in days instead of weeks. Unlike other breast cancer therapies that require six to seven weeks, the new SAVI(TM) therapy reduces the course of treatment to just five days.

SAVI consists of an expandable bundle of catheters, or tubes, each of which can deliver a different dose of precisely targeted radiation. Because it offers so much more flexibility in the strength of the dosage than balloon brachytherapy, a larger group of women will be able to benefit from its use. "The advantage of this device is that it allows us to deliver the dose based on the patient's anatomy," says Dr. Arve Gillette, who along with Dr. Keisha Harris-Henderson is one of the two radiation oncologists on staff at Methodist Dallas using the new therapy. "A lighter dose can be delivered through catheters closer to the skin, and stronger doses delivered to catheters deeper in the tissue. This helps prevent the scarring and skin damage experienced previously by so many patients." Dr. Henderson adds that SAVI is a key component of conserving the breast and not damaging healthy tissue. "It provides excellent cosmetic results," says Dr. Henderson.

Dr. Martin Koonsman, a surgeon on the medical staff at Methodist Dallas who uses the SAVI device, recalls the case of one patient. "She was a woman in her late 50's with a small tumor close to the skin," says Dr. Koonsman. "Because of the nature of her job, spending a lot of time away from work would have been significant for her, " he says, adding that the SAVI device was the best choice for the patient. She has since returned to work and is doing extremely well. "For working women, SAVI is a particularly good option," says Dr. Koonsman.

SAVI was developed by BioLucent, Inc., a women's health company dedicated to early detection and treatment of breast cancer. SAVI is an appropriate option for women with early stage breast cancer. Over 260,000 new cased of breast cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. For more information, or to find an independently practicing physician on the Methodist Health System medical staff, call 214-947-0000 or visit http://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/cancer.

About Methodist Health System

Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Methodist Health System (Methodist) uses some of the latest medical technology and research to bring quality health care to individuals and families throughout North Texas. Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Midlothian Health Center, and three Methodist Family Health Centers are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at http://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/.

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System.

Methodist Dallas Medical Center

CONTACT: Lynette Wilkinson, Public Relations Specialist, MethodistDallas Medical Center, +1-214-947-7460, lynettewilkinson@mhd.com

Web site: http://www.mhd.com/http://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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