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suz777 · 11-13-2006, 08:16 PM

Hi, all! I'm new to this, but did have APBI (abbreviated partial breast irridation) via use of the Mammosite procedure last week.

I had a lumpectomy on a Thursday 10/26/6 (1.1cm tumor); one week later, they took me back to the operating room to insert the catheter with a balloon at the end into the tumor bed, inflated the balloon with saline (that's as close as I'll probably get to an actual breast implant at this point), did a CT scan the next day to ensure the balloon was properly placed and holding OK, that there were no air pockets between balloon and cavity in my breast. Then, I had radiation 2x a day for 5 days...the next Mon-Fri. I went to work most days in between treatment and the balloon and catheter were pulled out following my last treatment.

The staff was wonderful; I got to play my own music at each treatment session. Targeted Xrays were taken of that breast immediately prior to each 'dose.'

Not everyone qualifies for Mammosite and it is not available everywhere and is generally more expensive. Your tumor has to be a certain size, as does your breast. Large tumors and/or small breasts don't stand a good shot at working here.

www.mammosite.com does have lots of info on this; if you click around enough places you can get to a place to see a little animated demo of the procedure also.

Some doctors insert the balloon and catheter along with the lumpectomy. Others do it later, waiting for the pathology to come back to ensure your margins are clear and nodes negative; why put all that in you if they just have to take it out? On the other hand, waiting does involve another mini-surgery or some doctors do it under local in their office. It just depends, ASK!

I had only a little redness, slight nausea once or twice, and I needed some extra naps. You have to wear a special bra to accommodate the catheter and gauze. But it's all manageable! Most of my appts were at 9am and 3pm.

Suzanne
Los Angeles
10/03/6 DX
10/26/6 lumpectomy
Nodes negative, margins clear
1.1cm tumor
ER/PR positive; HER2neu negative
Lymphovascular invasion

11-13-2006, 08:16 PM	#5
suz777 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3	Mammosite experience Hi, all! I'm new to this, but did have APBI (abbreviated partial breast irridation) via use of the Mammosite procedure last week. I had a lumpectomy on a Thursday 10/26/6 (1.1cm tumor); one week later, they took me back to the operating room to insert the catheter with a balloon at the end into the tumor bed, inflated the balloon with saline (that's as close as I'll probably get to an actual breast implant at this point), did a CT scan the next day to ensure the balloon was properly placed and holding OK, that there were no air pockets between balloon and cavity in my breast. Then, I had radiation 2x a day for 5 days...the next Mon-Fri. I went to work most days in between treatment and the balloon and catheter were pulled out following my last treatment. The staff was wonderful; I got to play my own music at each treatment session. Targeted Xrays were taken of that breast immediately prior to each 'dose.' Not everyone qualifies for Mammosite and it is not available everywhere and is generally more expensive. Your tumor has to be a certain size, as does your breast. Large tumors and/or small breasts don't stand a good shot at working here. www.mammosite.com does have lots of info on this; if you click around enough places you can get to a place to see a little animated demo of the procedure also. Some doctors insert the balloon and catheter along with the lumpectomy. Others do it later, waiting for the pathology to come back to ensure your margins are clear and nodes negative; why put all that in you if they just have to take it out? On the other hand, waiting does involve another mini-surgery or some doctors do it under local in their office. It just depends, ASK! I had only a little redness, slight nausea once or twice, and I needed some extra naps. You have to wear a special bra to accommodate the catheter and gauze. But it's all manageable! Most of my appts were at 9am and 3pm. Suzanne Los Angeles 10/03/6 DX 10/26/6 lumpectomy Nodes negative, margins clear 1.1cm tumor ER/PR positive; HER2neu negative Lymphovascular invasion