First in Northern Michigan to Acquire New Solution for Breast Cancer Treatment

Women with early-stage breast cancer may be eligible for a new type of treatment at Crossroads Radiation Therapy Center in Reed City.

Crossroads is the first in Northern Michigan to offer the Axxent’ Electronic Brachytherapy System’. It is a new, FDA-cleared solution for providing accelerated partial breast irradiation.

How it Works

The first step following diagnosis is a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tumor. The breast cancer surgeon and radiation oncologist then determine whether a patient qualifies for electronic brachytherapy based on the amount of breast tissue and localization of the cancer.

If the therapy is recommended, the patient is scheduled for five consecutive days of electronic brachytherapy with treatment twice a day.’

During the procedure, a miniature X-ray tube is applied through a catheter balloon to the site of the removed tumor.’ The X-ray tube produces targeted, precise radiation to minimize the risk of exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Electronic treatment is an alternative to accelerated partial breast irradiation using radioactive isotopes.’ The length of treatment and radiation dosage is the same for both electronic- and isotope-based therapies.

Safe Alternative

Initial data from a multi-center, Phase IV clinical study confirm electronic brachytherapy is a safe and clinically promising alternative for accelerated partial breast irradiation.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation using radioactive isotopes requires safe storage and disposal of the radioactive material. Because of radioactivity, treatment is delivered to patients in a heavily shielded lead vault.

During electronic brachytherapy, the treatment team can stand behind a plexiglass shield in the same room with the patient.

If necessary, technicians can turn off the machine during treatment to make adjustments, thereby limiting the patient’s radiation exposure.

Comforting Setting

“The fact that our technicians can stay in the room with a woman while she receives electronic brachytherapy is in line with our Planetree-approach to patient-focused care,” says Irene Balowski, clinical director of cancer services.

“I think patients will appreciate having a technician in the room with them during treatment and if they want, they can hold their hand. This is a tremendous comfort to so many women,” says Balowski.

Local Access

“The benefits of electronic brachytherapy have tremendous potential to make breast cancer treatment an option for patients who otherwise might not choose treatment,” says Balowski.

“Some women in the Reed City service area do not follow through with their prescribed radiation therapy after a lumpectomy because of travel. Others choose to have a mastectomy in hopes of avoiding trips for radiation therapy treatment altogether.”

“Women can avoid the long drive to larger hospitals by having electronic brachytherapy close to where they live or work.”

Amenities Complement

Cancer patients have access to amenities at Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital while they wait between their twice-a-day treatments.

Patients can go across the street and use the family lounge at the hospital to watch the big-screen television, take a shower in the private restroom or fix a meal in the kitchen. They may also choose to take a nap in the hospital sleep lab, which features a hotel-like room.

“Patients and families don’t have to drive to a university hospital for quality cancer care, and they appreciate the intimate, friendly and homelike setting we offer,” adds Balowski.

Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital provides high quality, patient-centered health care services for the residents of Osceola, Lake and Mecosta counties. Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital has been part of the Spectrum Health system since 1998. Local access to quality care gives the people a link to the resources of Spectrum Health, one of the nation’s top integrated delivery systems-ranked 13th in 2004.