Q: I read that early breast cancerdefine can now be treated with lumpectomydefine plus radiationdefine given on the operating table. True? If so, how safe is this?
A: "One-step" breast cancerdefine treatment, as it's being called, is so new that it is still considered experimental. The procedure was pioneered four years ago in Britain where more than 800 women are now participating in an international clinical trial. The one-step treatment is also being studied at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.
Technically, the new procedure is known as "intraoperative radiationdefine therapy" and involves delivering a radiation dose to the site of a breast tumor during surgery to destroy any remaining local cancerous tissue. In theory, this can save patients a lot of treatment time, protect the skin, heart and lungs from unnecessary radiation administered externally, and minimize side effects that can occur during conventional radiation treatment given after surgery.
Using a probe attached to a device called the portable intrabeam radiotherapy machine, doctors deliver a single, concentrated dose of radiation. This takes about 30 minutes. The radiation dose used is said to be biologically equivalent to the total amount patients ordinarily would receive on a daily basis for several weeks after recovering from their surgery.
In Canada, the treatment is being used only on patients with small, early stage tumors (less than 2 centimeters).
The new procedure is considered very promising and would certainly be a boon to patients. So far, preliminary results have been encouraging, but it will be two years before doctors in Britain have enough information to confirm that over time "one step" treatment is as effective as current methods. This could turn out to be an exciting development in breast cancerdefine treatment. I'll keep you posted.
"Ask Dr. Weil" does not provide specific medical advice and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health-care professional. You should always consult your physician to discuss specific symptoms and conditions.
COPYRIGHT 2008 UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE and Weil Lifestyle, LLC
New Delhi, November 18 -- Since its outbreak in June this year, the H1N1 influenza has taken a widespread toll. With four more H1N1 deaths in India, the toll goes up to 530, as per an official statement.
We seeks happiness even as it continues to elude many of us. However, the fact is that if we focus our attention on other things and not strive for happiness itself, we will experience this emotion more often.
You have just met your Mr. Right and with all your womanly intuition you feel that he is the one you have been waiting for. You are excited, can`t stop smiling and your cheeks turn red the moment he enters.
Disclaimer: The views and ideas expressed by medical experts on themedguru.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. TheMedGuru advises users to check with their certified experts for their healthcare needs.
The comments and views posted by readers are their own and not that of the website or its management. Please see our 'Terms of Service' for details.
Post new comment