Breast Brachytherapy Options

To make breast brachytherapy practical for radiation oncologists everywhere, Dr. Kuske developed a technique for doing this procedure with greater ease, quality control, and image-guidance. Now templates with pre-drilled holes and moderate breast compression have simplified the insertion of catheters into the correct locations around the lumpectomy cavity with CT scanner guidance every millimeter of the way.

After the success of this "Multiple Catheter" Technique, developed by Dr. Kuske, the commercial vendors have used this concept and developed so-called 'single-entry' devices. These breast brachytherapy devices can be placed by surgeons or radiation oncologists after lumpectomy through a small incision in the skin. Thousands of women with select breast cancers have now been successfully treated with these catheter systems. Examples include the MammoSite®, SAVI®, and the Contura Balloon®