Texas Oncology-Methodist Dallas Medical Center Named “Center of Excellence” for Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment

10/01/2010

DALLAS — Methodist Dallas Medical Center is one of only 12 facilities in the greater Dallas/Forth Worth area named as a Center of Excellence in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) for their use of the SAVI® applicator, an advanced therapy for breast cancer as part of breast conservation therapy. Several physicians on the medical staff at Methodist Health System were also recognized for their role in this designation, including Arve Gillette, MD; Kesha Harris-Henderson, MD; Martin Koonsman, MD; and Columbus Floyd, MD.

The Center of Excellence designation recognizes a facility's dedication to education, training and experience in APBI. To qualify, physicians, medical physicists, and clinical staff were required to complete a comprehensive training and education program to demonstrate proficiency in delivering radiation therapy with SAVI. The facilities have also expressed a commitment to patient education, advocacy, and awareness of advanced breast cancer treatments.

The SAVI applicator can provide important advantages for women with early-stage breast cancer by delivering a form of radiation therapy known as breast brachytherapy. This approach, which targets the tumor site from inside the breast, is becoming a more widely used alternative to traditional radiation. Breast brachytherapy typically involves two treatments per day for only five days. This shorter timeframe makes brachytherapy far more convenient than traditional, external-beam radiation. The latter is delivered five times a week and takes six or seven weeks. In addition to shortening the therapy time, breast brachytherapy with SAVI minimizes radiation exposure of healthy tissue, which reduces damage to critical structures such as the skin, heart, lungs and ribs.

"Cianna Medical is proud to acknowledge the contributions these surgeons and radiation oncologists are making to the APBI field," said Jill Anderson, President and CEO of Cianna Medical. "They are changing how we care for women with early-stage breast cancer by recognizing the clinical benefits of more targeted radiation therapy and choosing to make it available to their patients."

About Methodist Health System
Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Methodist Health System (Methodist) uses some of the latest medical technology and research to bring quality health care to individuals and families throughout North Texas. Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Midlothian Health Center, and Methodist Family Health Centers are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at www.methodisthealthsystem.org. Connect with us through Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.