Early detection and treatment have yielded high survival rates for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. However, standard radiation techniques can present significant challenges for patients, especially those who must undergo weeks of daily treatments.
A new FDA-cleared treatment method developed by doctors and scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine could provide an alternative for some diagnosed with this disease – one that could shorten radiation treatment from weeks to days.
The GammaPod, a unique radiation system designed to treat early-stage breast cancer by targeting the cancer and limiting damage to other organs, is part of a growing movement in oncology to try to reduce the amount of treatment to help curb side effects, improve quality of life and prevent patients from being overtreated.
In this interview, Dr. Elizabeth Nichols, MD will discuss early-stage breast cancer, the problem of overtreatment, benefits of partial breast radiation and who is a candidate for the GammaPod.
About Elizabeth M Nichols, MD
Dr. Nichols is an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, clinical director of the University of Maryland Medical Center Department of Radiation Oncology and chair of the GammaPod Consortium. Dr. Nichols specializes in treating breast and gynecologic cancers.
Interview opportunity courtesy of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center
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