Article Archive

Diablo Valley Oncology Offers New Radiation Procedure

Advances in the world of radiation therapy have led to the development of a new procedure for the treatment of early stage breast cancer, non-melanoma skin cancers, and some gynecologic cancers. 

Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group at the California Cancer and Research Institute announced that they recently received state approval to be the first facility in Northern California to offer the new Xoft Electronic Brachytherapy System for cancer patients.

Electronic brachytherapy is different from conventional brachytherapy because instead of a radioactive source, the Xoft system uses a miniaturized x-ray tubethat is inserted directly into the tumor site.  “This means that the source is not continually radioactive; it can be turned on and off as appropriate to deliver precisely localized, targeted radiation treatments which protect healthy tissues,” said Sachin Kamath, M.D., Director of Radiation Oncology at the cancer center.  “The fact it can be used to deliver radiation in minimally shielded therapeutic settings gives us a different way to administer therapy.  Treatment can be performed without the need for a shielded room, allowing the radiation oncologist and other medical personnel to be present during treatment delivery and minimizing patient anxiety.”

Shorter treatment, less radiation

One of the biggest benefits to electronic brachytherapy is that it requires fewer sessions than traditional radiation: 

• Most women with early stage breast cancer who need radiation treatment undergo whole breast irradiation, which usually requires six to seven weeks (30 to 35 treatment sessions).  Some of these women are candidates for partial breast irradiation with electronic brachytherapy, which can be completed in five days. 
• Non-melanoma skin cancers are often treated with six to seven weeks of conventional external beam radiotherapy.  With electronic brachytherapy, skin cancers can be treated in as little as five sessions. 
• Some women with gynecologic cancers require radiation treatment after surgery.  The treatment may involve a combination of external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy.  With electronic brachytherapy the treatment can generally be completed in less than five sessions.

“Electronic brachytherapy allows us to focus the radiation ‘more tightly’ around the tumor target, compared to external beam radiotherapy or radioactive isotope-based brachytherapy systems,” Dr. Kamath said.  "The Xoft system eliminates the use of radioactive isotopes, resulting in less exposure to radiation, fewer side effects, and excellent outcomes for patients."