Global Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer
Mammosite

Treatment

Targeting Breast Tumors with Seeds
Article Tools
Print
Sphere
RSS

The goal of any cancer treatment is to clear away malignant cells while leaving the remaining cellular landscape as intact as possible. MammoSite, a five-day, seed-based therapy, does that by directing radiation at only cancer-rich regions of the breast. After surgically removing cancerous growth, doctors insert a balloon with a catheter into the cavity left behind by the tumor. They can then thread radioactive seeds into the balloon to zap away any residual cancer cells.

RESULTS
No More Tumors — After five years, women treated with MammoSite showed no recurrent growths in their breasts.

A Fresh Choice — Women who thought mastectomy was preferable to the traditional six weeks of radiation now have a new option.

Next: DNA fingerprints >>

By The Numbers

Breast Cancer Around the World

Breast cancer is on the rise worldwide. Here's a look at the incidence rate of breast cancer country by country.

Get Educated

Breast Cancer Basics

Diagnosis and treatment keep changing. Here's what you need to know

Q & A

How To Talk To a Friend With Cancer

Author Lori Hope, who has been on both sides of the bed as both cancer patient and caregiver, offers advice on what to say — and what not to say

Treatment

Which Surgery Is Right For You?

Despite doctors' best intentions, their advice for patients isn't always unbiased — leaving many women unhappy with their treatment decision

Photo Gallery

Faces of Breast Cancer

Portraits of breast cancer survivors attending a summit on the disease organized by Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Photo Gallery

A Diary of Healing

Mary Ann Nilan asked a photographer to record her experience undergoing chemo, a double mastectomy and reconstruction with implants: "I hope the pictures make the road easier for other women."

Top Stories on Time.com