Technique could shorten breast cancer radiation CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) A single, concentrated dose of radiation may be as effective as six straight weeks of treatment for women who have had a cancerous lump removed from a breast, preliminary British research suggests. The experimental treatment could make lumpectomy -- a breast-saving type of cancer surgery in which only the lump is removed -- available to many more women. Many women who are diagnosed with early breast cancer decide against a lumpectomy because they cannot spend six weeks receiving daily radiation treatments, said Dr. Jayant Vaidya, a surgeon at University College London in England who led the study. Mastectomies, or removals of the entire breast, typically do not require radiation. Mastectomies are often the only option for women who live far from cancer treatment centers or find the standard radiation schedule unworkable. An experimental technique called intra-operative radiotherapy uses a miniature radiation probe right after a lumpectomy. The probe is inserted inside the cavity created by the removal of the tumor, and radiation equivalent to six weeks of doses is emitted for about 25 minutes. Thanks to CNN 11/01 Ann's NOTE: The American Italian Cancer Foundation held a meeting in 2000 where this information was presented from an Italian study. Hopefully the U.S. will begin this work too. Annual Meeting Radiology Soc of NA, 11/01 Reuters Health, 5/7/02 BCAction, SF Newsletter #74:Brachytherapy Brachytherapy & Recurrence Rates Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.