VEENENDAAL, Netherlands, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucletron B.V. is the sole
sponsor of the quality assurance and rapid turnaround pre-treatment dosimetry
review for the promising Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) study to
evaluate the reproducibility, toxicity, and effectiveness of high dose rate
(HDR) and low dose rate brachytherapy as the primary treatment for breast
cancer following breast conservation surgery. The RTOG 95-17 Breast
Brachytherapy Protocol builds on positive experience gained at the Ochsner
Clinic by the group led by Robert R. Kuske, MD, who has been a Nucletron HDR
user for 8 years, and surgical oncologist John Bolton, MD. The Ochsner breast
brachytherapy trial now has median 5.5 years and minimum 5.0 years follow-up
interval, mature data for a pilot trial. There have been zero recurrences in
the breast to date. The side-effects have been acceptable, and in many women,
especially those with very large breasts, have been less than the traditional
6 week external beam program. One year after treatment is complete, it has
been difficult in most women to tell which breast has been treated, other than
the surgical scars.
The use of HDR brachytherapy rather than conventional external beam
therapy (EBT) has advantages for the patient and for the treatment center.
With this protocol, much of the breast's healthy tissue, such as the skin,
underlying ribs and muscles, lung, and heart, is exposed to a far lower dose
of radiation, which offers hope that side effects will be lessened, while the
cosmetic result is improved. These are major endpoints of the RTOG trial, and
why this study is so important. HDR brachytherapy also reduces treatment time
from the 5 - 7 weeks needed for EBT to approximately 4-5 days, which means
that breast conservation is a realistic option for today's informed and active
women, as well as those living far away or having difficulty driving back and
forth to a radiation facility. In addition to making radiation therapy
markedly more convenient, the costs in terms of time and expenses are
significantly lower.
Currently, sixteen centers have enrolled in the RTOG study and more
centers are encouraged to participate. RTOG members should have the protocol
approved by their Investigational Review Boards and submit dosimetry for an
idealized case and a brachytherapy questionnaire, both of which are included
in the protocol booklet, available from RTOG headquarters. Non-members must
affiliate with a member institution to join the study.
For more information on the RTOG Primary Breast Brachytherapy Protocol,
supported by Nucletron, please consult the RTOG website http://www.rtog.org.,
or call Dr. Kuske at 504-842-3886.
SOURCE Nucletron B.V.
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Related links:
http://www.nucletron.com
http://www.rtog.com
CONTACT:
Robert R. Kuske, MD for Nucletron,
504-842-3886
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