MammoSite® is a patented process in which radiation is delivered into the breast after a tumor has been removed through a lumpectomy.
After the tumor is removed, a small balloon is attached to a thin catheter tube and is placed inside the lumpectomy cavity after a small incision is made in the breast. Next, the balloon is inflated with saline solution so that it fits snugly within the open cavity. During treatment, a computer-controlled High Dose Rate (HDR) machine is connected to a portion of the catheter that remains outside the breast. After the amount of necessary radiation is determined, it is delivered by the machine through the catheter. No radiation remains in the breast between treatments. Typically, treatments are completed after five consecutive days. A key benefit of these treatments is that the radiation source is placed at the precise site of the tumor for maximum effectiveness, while minimizing the effects of damage to surrounding tissue.