Halifax Health Performs Area’s First Cianna SAVI Breast Cancer Treatment
Halifax Health recently performed the area's first Cianna SAVI treatment for breast cancer. This advanced technology offers patients the benefits of selectively targeted radiation and shortened treatment time causing less interruption of their normal lifestyle.
April Henning has provided care for her husband Bob off and on during their 31-year marriage because of his various health problems, including undergoing treatment for lung cancer three years ago. So when she found out about her own illness, Mrs. Henning realized she needed a treatment that allowed her to continue acting as a caregiver.
Like many women, Mrs. Henning went to her gynecologist complaining of pain in her breast. Once the diagnosis of breast cancer was determined, radiation oncologist Chick Hechtman, MD, explained the different options for treatment.
"He walked me through what most women have to choose from and explained to me the more common options," said Mrs. Henning. "Then we discussed this new treatment - the SAVI - and it sounded like the right option for me."
The SAVI is a radiation therapy device inserted through a single puncture in the skin into a lumpectomy cavity for high dose rate breast brachytherapy. Once the applicator is inserted, rotation of the tool causes the expansion and deployment of catheters that conform to the size of the cavity. This tissue-sparing option reduces treatment time from more than six weeks to five to 10 days and provides physicians with the greatest control over radiation delivery.
"I wanted to have the best hope of eradicating the cancer from my body because there's always that chance that it could come back," said Mrs. Henning. "And I wanted the best solution for my circumstances. I have a husband who needs medical attention so it was great for me to experience such a short treatment time."
For Mrs. Henning, Caren Wilkie, MD, surgically implanted the device on May 1. Her first treatment was on May 6, then two treatments per day for four other days, and her last single treatment was on May 14 before the SAVI was removed that same day.
"I feel great and it's been such a relief to go through the process this way," said Mrs. Henning. "And there was really a strong sense of family and caring at Halifax. The surgery and radiation oncology departments really treated us like family. I feel like I had the chance to get the best healthcare available out there right now with a team of people who are doing the best they can to help me. It's the personal care that was so wonderful."
Halifax Health
Ranked among the top five percent of all hospitals in the nation for clinical outcomes, Halifax Health serves East Central Florida and provides a continuum of healthcare services through a network of organizations including a tertiary hospital, a community hospital, psychiatric services, a cancer treatment center with four outreach locations, the area's largest hospice, a health maintenance organization, and a preferred provider organization. Halifax Health offers the area's only Level II Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Emergency Department, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services, and Neurosurgical Services. Halifax Health has consistently received top ratings for its medical specialties including #1 in Florida and top 5% in the United States for Orthopedics, #2 in Florida and top 5% in the United States for Spinal Surgery, top 5% in the United States for Stroke Services, top 10% in the United States for Vascular Services and the highest rankings for Heart Services. Halifax Health also ranked #1 in the Orlando Sentinel's 2007 Top 100 Companies for Working Families. For more information, visit www.halifaxhealth.org.
