How is treatment with the MammoSite RTS administered?
During the lumpectomy procedure or shortly thereafter, the deflated MammoSite balloon is placed inside the tumor resection cavity. The applicator shaft, a tube connected to the balloon, remains outside the breast. Once in place, the balloon is inflated with saline to fill the cavity. The balloon remains inflated for the entire time that the patient is receiving radiation therapy. After the balloon is inflated, the catheter exit site is dressed and the patient may go home. The patient returns to the hospital or clinic for treatment on an outpatient basis where a radioactive “seed” is inserted within the inflated balloon, beginning a one-to-five day sequence of treatments. No source of radiation remains in the patient’s body between treatments or after the final procedure. When the therapy is concluded, the balloon is deflated and the MammoSite RTS catheter is easily removed.
