Arizona Oncology Services is First to Offer Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment.

PHOENIX -- Arizona Oncology Services today announced it is the first medical facility in the nation to treat a patient using SAVI, an advanced radiation treatment that is part of breast-conserving therapy for breast cancer.

Robert Kuske, M.D., one of the nation's leading radiation oncologists, performed the first two cases using the SAVI device, a single-entry, multi-catheter applicator that delivers partial breast irradiation.

The new, FDA-cleared SAVI device may provide advantages both for women with early-stage breast cancer and their physicians.

Breast-conserving therapy encompasses lumpectomy (surgical removal of the cancerous tissue within the breast plus tissue immediately around the tumor) and follow-up radiation. While follow-up radiation has traditionally involved irradiation of the entire breast with an external beam, Arizona Oncology Services has been a leader in developing techniques in breast brachytherapy, an approach that targets the tumor site from inside the breast.

Whole breast irradiation can be inconvenient for the patient and involves a lengthy treatment course, with radiation delivered five times a week over a 6-7 week period. For eligible women, breast brachytherapy typically involves two treatments per day for only five days.

The SAVI technique being performed by Dr. Kuske and his colleagues at AOS may improve upon earlier breast brachytherapy procedures by preventing radiation damage to the skin or chest wall.

"After breast-conserving surgery, ideal radiation therapy tailors the radiation dose to only the breast tissue that is at high risk for microscopic cancer cells, sparing healthy tissue," said Dr. Kuske. "In comparison to many other breast brachytherapy procedures, SAVI may reduce skin and breast toxicities. This approach may also make the benefits of partial breast irradiation available to more women."

The SAVI technology was developed by BioLucent, Inc., (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) a women's health company dedicated to the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Arizona Oncology Services (AOS) is a radiation oncology practice that was formed in 1981. With a team of 24 physicians and 13 locations in the greater Phoenix area and Yuma, AOS is a nationally recognized leader in numerous radiation techniques including accelerated partial breast therapy, brachytherapy, prostate seed implants, stereotactic radiosurgery, and monoclonal antibody radiation therapy. AOS physicians and staff partner with physicians, patients, and families to provide superior radiation oncology care with a focus on leading edge treatment, empathy and compassion. For more information, call 620-274-4484 or access www.azoncology.com.