A new technology available at Central Baptist Hospital offers an alternative to external beam radiation for some breast cancer patients.

MammoSite Radiation Therapy, an internal radiation therapy system for breast cancer, is one of the latest advances in accelerated partial breast irradiation. The device is comprised of a balloon catheter that internally administers a prescribed dose of radiation to targeted breats tissue in what is typically a five-day sequence of treatments.

By internally delivering the radiation directly to the tissue surrounding the original tumor, the MammoSite RTS minimizes exposure to the rest of the breast, skin, ribs lungs and heart.

"Dr. (Alan) Beckman and I are excited to offer Mammosite," said Marta Hayne, M.D., radiation oncologist. "Internal delivery of radiation intensifies the dose to the tissue at greatest risk for subclinical disease, may reduce acute and chronic toxicities and may improve cosmetic outcome. Also, the treatments are delivered over a shorter period of time, which may be beneficial to patients who don't live close to a radiation facility."

For more information about Mammosite Radiation Therapy, call (859) 260-4271.