Oceanside CA— Early-stage breast cancer patients meeting specific selection criteria now have a one-day, single-dose breast cancer treatment option thanks to a new intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) program being launched this month at Tri-City Medical Center. Tri-City Medical Center is the only hospital in North County to offer IORT and among the first in San Diego County.
Working together, Tri-City Medical Center’s radiation oncologists and breast cancer surgeons will use IORT to deliver a full, concentrated dose of radiation at the time of the patient’s lumpectomy, targeting cancer cells and sparing healthy tissue, such as the skin, heart, lungs and ribs. Traditional breast cancer treatment requires daily radiation five days per week for three to six weeks through external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). IORT requires only one day for treatment and delivers radiation via internal balloon catheter rather than through external radiation.
“IORT puts less stress on our patients’ skin and organs while giving them peace of mind that they can complete treatment as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Kathy Toosie, a breast surgical oncologist at Tri-City Medical Center. “Traditional treatment programs can be very difficult on women who have careers or are primary caregivers. For stage 1 patients that meet our treatment criteria and stage 2 patients that qualify for our clinical trial, we look forward to helping them return to their normal daily lives sooner.”
“IORT treatments are wonderful options for women with early breast cancers,” said Dr. James Urbanic, radiation oncology medical director at UC San Diego Radiation Oncology, North County. Dr. Urbanic will be supporting the delivery of intra-operative radiation oncology at Tri-City Medical Center as part of the medical center’s affiliation with UC San Diego Health. “IORT represents an additional choice that will help to better tailor treatment to an individual’s preferences and needs while preserving the overall cure rate. We are excited to be part of this program,” he added.
Major studies have shown IORT is effective, but with fewer side effects than traditional radiation for appropriate patients.
To conduct its IORT therapy, Tri-City Medical Center is equipped with the Xoft® Axxent® Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx®) System®, which is FDA cleared, CE marked and licensed in a growing number of countries for the treatment of cancer anywhere in the body, including early-stage breast cancer, gynecological cancers, and non-melanoma skin cancer.
The Xoft System uses a proprietary miniaturized x-ray source, which is inserted into a flexible balloon-shaped applicator, then temporarily placed inside the lumpectomy cavity. A full course of radiation is then administered in a single dose, lasting as little as eight minutes, which directly targets cancer cells.
About Tri-City Medical Center
Tri-City Medical Center has served its community for over 50 years and is a 397 bed full service, acute-care hospital in Oceanside, Calif. with a primary care clinic and over 700 physicians practicing in 60 specialties. Its Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission recognizes its commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community it serves. It operates the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in North County as well as an Orthopedic & Spine Institute, a Cardiovascular Health Institute and a Neuroscience Institute along with the Tri-City Wellness Center in Carlsbad, Calif., recognized as one of the best wellness centers in San Diego County. It also specializes in women’s health, robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City Medical Center has received its sixth consecutive “A” rating from the national hospital safety scoring organization, The Leapfrog Group.
For more information about Tri-City Medical Center and Tri-City Healthcare District, please visit www.tricitymed.org.
About Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System
The Xoft System is an isotope-free radiation treatment that is FDA cleared, CE marked, and licensed in a growing number of countries for the treatment of cancer anywhere in the body, including treatment of early-stage breast cancer, gynecological cancers and non-melanoma skin cancer. It utilizes a proprietary miniaturized x-ray as the radiation source that delivers precise treatment directly to cancerous areas while sparing healthy tissue and organs. The Xoft System requires only minimal shielding and therefore does not require room redesign or construction investment. Minimal shielding also allows medical personnel to remain in the room with the patient during treatment. The mobility of the Xoft System makes it easy to treat patients at multiple locations and to easily store the system when not in use. Xoft is a wholly owned subsidiary of iCAD, Inc. For more information about Xoft visit www.xoftinc.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @xofticad.