BREAST CANCER CARE 2010
SurRad®
INTRAOPERATIVE ELECTRON-BEAM
RADIATION THERAPY
250,000—That is the number of new breast cancer cases each year in the United States. We all know that early detection and diagnosis vastly improves a woman’s chances to beat cancer—but at what cost? Radical, disfiguring mastectomies? Weeks of exposure to radiation treatments? A 15 to 20 percent chance of in-breast recurrence?
Yes with traditional breast cancer surgery techniques and post-surgical radiation treatments. Absolutely not with the next major advancement in world class treatment: SurRad®.
This is the application of superior, emerging technologies combining surgery and radiation therapy in a one-day session that also provides a kinder, gentler experience. The technology and technique for administering the radiation treatment in this manner is called Intraoperative Electron-Beam Radiation Therapy (commonly abbreviated as “IOERT”) and it is accurately focused only on the specific, limited area of the cancer. I have personally studied this program for over ten years in Europe sitting in on IOERT procedures in Italy and Austria. This targeted, single dose approach to radiation therapy during surgery is already in widespread use in Europe and Asia. This is in stark contrast to the currently accepted United States practice of providing between 30 to 35 separate, whole breast radiation treatments after surgery which can take up to seven weeks to administer.
Recent results of long term, scientific studies in Italy and Austria demonstrate that IOERT is a more effective treatment at a lesser cost than the traditional weeks of post-operative radiation therapy. IOERT is far less traumatic to the patient and results in fewer recurrences of cancer. The data also demonstrates that the fewer recurrences of the cancer contribute to a reduction in the death rate as well.
40 to 50 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer treatable by lumpectomy will be eligible for the SurRad® procedure. The typical procedure consists of the removal of the cancerous breast tissue, a sampling of the local lymph node, application of a two-minute IOERT single dose to the targeted area of the breast without exposing the skin to radiation, and oncoplastic reconstruction of the affected area of the breast—all in one coordinated session. The patient will usually be discharged the same day.
If a partial mastectomy is necessary, the IOERT is administered as a smaller “boost” during surgery along with the balance of the SurRad® procedure. This is then followed up with 14 to 16 post–operative treatments of conventional whole breast radiation.
When the cancer is more advanced requiring a more extensive mastectomy procedure, then the patient is a possible candidate for a third option referred to as the “nipple areolar sparing mastectomy”. In this procedure, if the nipple and areola are not affected by the cancer, they are given the single dose of IOERT while under anesthesia with immediate reconstruction performed by a plastic surgeon as part of the one-session SurRad® procedure. A full mastectomy yet the patient retains the natural appearance of her breast.
The application of the SurRad® IOERT procedure utilizes a state-of-the-art, mobile electron linear accelerator, the Mobetron 1000, manufactured here in the United States. This sophisticated piece of equipment alone costs in excess of $1.6 million. Along with the balance of the other necessary diagnostic and imaging equipment used in the operating room for the SurRad® procedure, total equipment costs exceed $1.9 million. We estimate to start up the program initially will cost $2.5 to $2.6 million. With these funds in hand, we can commence treatments within just a few months.
That is why we are seeking Federal grants and private foundation support to bring this extraordinary technology to our patients without burdening them with the lion share of the start up costs. Smaller, individual donations to the Robert A. Gardner, M.D. Foundation, Inc. will assist us in financing the initial costs we are expending to obtain the grants. All donations are tax deductible as the Foundation is an eligible 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization as described in Section 509(a) (2) of the IRS tax code.
SurRad® will be the first IOERT program in Florida and the majority of the Southeastern U.S. for that matter. My local colleagues will be joining me to implement the program in South Florida. It will serve as the model for so many other surgical/oncology teams and it is our hope that the success of our endeavor will demonstrate the need for a nationwide campaign to implement IOERT from coast to coast.
For further information on IOERT and our state-of-the-art treatment plans and how donations will assist other women in their fight against breast cancer, please visit our website: www.breastquestion.com.
How can you help make this dream become a reality for so many? Contact our friendly staff for more information.
Respectfully,
Robert A. Gardner, M.D.
For the Robert A. Gardner, M.D. Foundation
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