First Community Hospital to offer Clinical Study to Little Company of Mary Breast Cancer Survivors
Evergreen Park, Ill. - December 13, 2007 - Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers has announced it will offer a new clinical study using Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy for the treatment of early stage breast cancer. The study involves the delivery of a safer form of radiation to breast cancer patients that will reduce their treatment time from the average seven weeks to just one week.
Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System uses a small electronic X-ray source that delivers controlled radiation treatment directly to the targeted area. It is similar to another known procedure called Mammosite, but uses a safer form of radiation. The Electronic Brachytherapy System uses a balloon-like device, which is implanted into the targeted area, and then a miniature X-ray source is inserted into the balloon twice a day for five days.
Little Company of Mary is the first community hospital in Illinois to offer the study joining only nine other sites in the country who offer the treatment. 'I am proud to bring this new technology to Little Company of Mary and offer the women in Chicago's Southwest community a new and safer form of radiation therapy for the treatment of breast cancer,' Dr. Adam Dickler, radiation oncologist, who is heading the study.
Dr. Dickler says the major benefits for patients are the largely reduced treatment time and decreased radiation exposure to vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Electronic brachytherapy has a key component that sets this therapy apart using an electronic source rather than a radioactive isotope. This allows the X-ray source to be turned on and off at will.
Another advantage includes the change in treatment settings. Patients will now be able to receive their treatments in a comfortable exam room setting with their physician in the room instead of being separated in a shielded room alone for their treatment.
Dr. Dickler is board certified in Radiation Oncology and has treated more patients with electronic brachytherapy than any other physician in Illinois. He was the principal investigator of the study when it was first offered in Illinois prior to arriving at Little Company of Mary in September. Dr. Dickler is an Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center where he also conducted studies on electronic brachytherapy. He will continue the study at Little Company of Mary to give patients access to this latest treatment.
Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System is approved by the FDA for the treatment of early stage breast cancer. Women who are over the age of 50 may be eligible to participate. Women also may take the free breast cancer risk test at www.pursuingpainfreecancer.org. Please contact Little Company of Mary for a consultation at 708.229.5560.
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Photo Caption:Dr. Adam Dickler heads the new clinical study using Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy for the treatment of early stage breast cancer.
The LCM Cancer Center is ranked in the top 27 percent of the nation's cancer programs accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer. The Center provides the latest technologies in radiation therapy, including IMRT, HDR, and a wide range of integrative therapy services - including massage, acupuncture and healing touch. The Center also has The Ellyn Rose Cronin Community Resource Library, private conference rooms, laboratory, and meeting rooms for support groups. The Cancer Center's treatment modalities and programs reinforce the Hospital's commitment to the community's health and comprehensive cancer care.
