Radiation treatment
for Breast Cancer Delivered in 5 days
rather than 5 weeks Breast cancers,
once removed, are followed by a course
of radiation therapy.
Definitions
Brachytherapy is a new treatment option
that shortens the radiation treatment
after breast lumpectomy from five
weeks to five days.
The
Problem
Patients who have had a lumpectomy
performed for breast cancer and who
meet the requirements for brachytherapy
will have a small catheter placed
directly into the lumpectomy site
at the time of the operation or shortly
thereafter. This allows a concentrated
dose of radiation to be focused and
directed to the area needing treatment,
thus shortening the length of time
and number of treatments of traditional
radiation therapy.
Evaluation
and initial treatment
Darius S. Francescatti, M.D., in conjunction
with the radiation therapy departments
of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical
Center and Resurrection Medical Center,
are excited to be able to offer this
exciting new treatment for breast
cancer to the Chicago area.
Procedures
Optimally the decision on whether
you are a candidate for this option
is made when you have your surgery.
If you have been told that you have
breast cancer or you have found a
recent breast mass by self-examination
or mammogram, you should ideally be
evaluated for this procedure before
your surgery is done. However, if
you have recently had a lumpectomy
and have not yet begun radiation therapy,
you can still be considered for this
procedure.
Frequently
asked questions
For further information or to make
an appointment please call us at 312-942-6500.
For more info about Darius
S. Francescatti, M.D.
