New Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment Being Tested

Atlanta Oncology Associates Offers High Quality Radiation and Medical Oncology Throughout Metro Atlanta

As reported this week, doctors around the country are currently testing new forms of breast cancer radiation therapy that could cut the typical treatment time down from six weeks to five days, or possibly even less. This new approach, called partial-breast radiation, could permanently change the treatment of early-stage breast cancer.

Breast cancer is diagnosed in 200,000 women each year.

Atlanta Oncology Associates (AOA), one of the largest radiation therapy groups in the Southeast, is dedicated to the highest quality of care in radiation and medical oncology. The practice has nine offices throughout Metro Atlanta, North and Central Georgia, and North Florida.

“These are very important studies,” said Dr. Dale McCord, CEO of AOA. “These new methods could warrant a reevaluation in how breast cancer is treated.”

The treatment works by targeting radiation beams directly at the site of the tumor rather than at the entire breast. This not only proves more convenient than the six-week method of radiation, but might also spare more women from serious skin side effects of the standard treatments.

Currently, a study funded by the National Cancer Institute is underway involving three different five-day methods of partial-breast radiation: interstitial brachytherapy, in which thin tubes are inserted through the breast and pellets of radioactive iodine are temporarily placed in the tubes twice a day; balloon brachytherapy, which is given with a machine that similarly inserts radioactive pellets into a balloon filling the tumor area; and external radiation focused just to the tumor site.

In Toronto, scientists are also developing a one-day method of partial-breast radiation, in which pellets made of a different radioactive material are permanently placed under the skin. The radiation in these pellets runs out after about two months, after which they remain in the body harmlessly.

Though the results of these studies look good initially, these treatments have not been tracked long enough to determine how successful they are long term.

Atlanta Oncology Associates (AOA), one of the largest radiation therapy groups in the Southeast, is dedicated to the highest quality of care in radiation and medical oncology. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, experienced physicians, and a compassionate staff, AOA provides cancer treatments and/or management strategies customized according to each patient's needs and concerns. AOA has 11 physicians and nine offices throughout Metro Atlanta, North and Central Georgia, and North Florida.