Following insertion of the balloon into the lumpectomy cavity, the balloon is inflated via one of the lumens with sterile water and contrast material.
As in similar studies, breast radiation following lumpectomy has a significant impact on in-breast recurrence but not on survival.
The expansion of the balloon fills the lumpectomy cavity and symmetrically expands the cavity and compresses surrounding breast tissue.
The 20-year follow-up upholds the conclusions that lumpectomy and irradiation is appropriate therapy for women with breast cancer, provided that the margins of resected specimens are free of tumour.
Seventy-six of them were followed for 83 months following treatment by lumpectomy only (n 21) lumpectomy and radiotherapy (n 27), or mastectomy (n 28).
Unlike standard conventional breast radiotherapy, this approach treats only 2 cm of tissue beyond the borders of the lumpectomy cavity instead of the entire breast.
These data support a third choice for older women undergoing breast cancer treatment, that of lumpectomy with adjuvant antiestrogen therapy and without radiation. 8.
However, this difference can be fully accounted for by the number of breast-only failures in the lumpectomy arm.
