Savi radiation
Has anyone had Savi radiation? My sister in law has been given the option of Savi radiation for five days, or 6 weeks of whole breast radiation.
I just finished 6 weeks of whole breast rads, but do not have much information about Savi.
I am just wondering if there are any risks, or is it a no brainer?
Comments
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Hi Anafoefana,
I had the SAVI radiation in Sept. While the device was quite uncomfortable in my breast, it was over quickly. The SAVI was actually in for nine days. I had it put in on a Wed, had a CT scan to make sure it was OK on Thurs, and started radiation 2x a day on Friday. Since they don't do radiaiton on the weekends (at my center anyway) I continued the next Mon. - Thurs., when it was removed after my last treatment. The treatments themselves were a breeze. I'm also small busted and had the technician told me I had the largest size SAVI. She felt this may have contributed to the pressure I felt from it. If you want more info., please PM me.
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Hi - I highly recommend the SAVI device! I have small breasts and the device was in my right breast for a total of 9 days. I did not experience any of the typical side effects of radiation and was really happy that I chose the 2 X day/5 day radiation SAVI option. Internal radiation just makes sense as it targets the site rather than external whole breast radiation. Removal of the SAVI device was painless and the small scar has disappeared. If you have any questions, I'd be pleased to discuss further.
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I would highly recommend SAVI over whole breast radiation. The long term results are comparable but I only had to take two weeks off and was back to work. I have large breasts and experienced only minor discomfort during the nine days the catheter was in place. No side effects at all. Scar is completely gone and my breast feels normal except for a small area of scar tissue that is resolving. Its been one year and one month. So far so good. I had stage 1, no nodes, treated with a lumpectomy and SAVI radiation only. I feel very lucky that this option was available to me. Oh, because you can't shower with the catheter in, remember to make a salon appointment to get your hair washed! Best wishes to you both.
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Hi
I would highly recommend the Savi . I had mine in for 5 days and it was so easy. I have large breasts and it was a little uncomfortable when sleeping but other than that it was a no brainer. Good luck to you both and you will both be in my prayers.
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I had Savi radiation in December and I am so glad I did it that way. It was only five days of radiation instead of the 6+ weeks. I had it in Tacoma and everyone there was so nice to me. You can look it up at www.savisisters.com. There are stories by many telling of their radiation. I have a post there and as I stated I was very happy with the way I did it. We had to travel for any radiation and at least it was for fewer days even though it was twice a day. We spent the time between appointments at my stepdaughters home. I did not have any side effects at all and no problem sleeping with the catheter in. I was worried and scared for nothing. If I had a choice I would do it again. Best of luck to both of you. Try it, you'll like it!
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I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in my left breast in June 2011. I had the mass removed on August 4; and was offered the SAVI device by my breast surgeon and radiation oncologist at IU Cancer Center in Indianapolis IN. Since mine was on my left side I think it was a no brainer for me. Little to no risk of heart damage or lung damage. The local SAVI rep came to most of my treatments and was very supportive. No pain during putting the device in, only minor discomfort when laying on my side at night and the treatment was over in 5 days. I did have mine put in on a Wednesday and started treatment the next Monday. Biggest discomfort for me was having to raise my arm over my head for the treatments due to some arthritis in my shoulder. Tylenol seemed to take care of that.
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I had the SAVI radiation in 2010. I have larger breasts and it was uncomfortable at times, but I continued to work and sleeping wasn't a problem. The treatments were easy as was the removal. I would much more rather endure the week to 10 days of minor discomfort to full breast radiation. Now 2 years later, there is barely a mark where the SAVI was inserted. I have been on Tamoxifen since then and so far no more cancer as of last week. Good luck with your decision.
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Hi Savi Sister
My name is Jody. I am a 2 year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed stage one in April of 2010. After talking with my doctors. I opted for Savi. Started treatment one month later. I went 2 times five days a week.. Actually it took me longer to drive to the doctors office then the treatment itself. I had a wonderful team in Boynton Beach, fla I had very little discomfort. They supplied me with a special bra, which was quite comfortable considering the circumstances..
I am a 73 yr old widow, who lives by myself and drove alone to the treatments each time. I don't regret it and have recommended Savi to many. In fact my neighbor just completed her treatment and is doing fine. Just remember, have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Think happy thoughts. You'll be fine. If you need anymore info. Please feel free to contact me. Jody.
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Hi Ana
Glad you have reached out regarding SAVI treatment for your sister-in-law.I have a short interview posted @ the SAVI Sisters website that you may find helpful. In short, my experience was very positive. Treatment went very well for me and I am now a 3 year cancer survivor.
Best wishes to you as you consider the SAVI option, and no matter what treatment is chosen, may your outcome be good.
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Thank you all for your responses. My SIL is finishing her treatment tomorrow and everything is going well. She just found out she is HER2+ and will have to have chemo as well. I am hoping it will just be Herceptin, but she does not know yet. I believe she will have Tamoxifen as well because she is also ER+.
She is doing well. I am glad she has not had to walk in my shoes. I wish my journey would have been this easy. I think it is wonderful that there are alternatives for us!
Thanks again for sharing. I will share these posts with my SIL.
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Hey, Ana! I'm sorry this reply from me is so late! I want to echo all of the positive feedback you have received from our other Sisters. I had the Savi balloon and radiation therapy in October 2011. My radiation treatment ran from 24-28 October, twice a day. It was totally a no-brainer for me. It took a very short time to complete each treatment. The only problem I had was some slight irritation and infection right at the site which the staff said was very common. Compared to what you have gone through, it was a breeze! I can't say enough good things about the SAVI system. I highly recommend it to your SIL. I feel unbelievably fortunate to have been able to go this route as not everyone is a good candidate. My best wishes to you and your SIL! Lucy Richer
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Yes, I have had the Savi implant and treatment. I worked wonderful for me. To get more information go to their website: www.savisisters.com. You can see what we all had to say about SAVI
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Thank you Lucy and queenie. She finished today and is feeling great. I wish this would have been an option for me as well. The six weeks of rads was not bad, I had a few burns and pain towards the end, but it is over now. I am just glad that there are shorter and less invasive treatments available to some!
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Im planning on getting the Savi in June, dependent on my path report after surgery. Im going to be treated at the office of the doctor who developed the SAVI. Great to have all the info!
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My SIL did really well with SAVI. I had the traditional 6 weeks (32 treatments) and am still having side effects. I finished in February. SAVI is much easier on your body. Good luck to you!
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just wondering if there are vitamins/supplements/herbs they tell you not to take while getting SAVI rads?
I read you are not suppose to take immune boosters.....
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So my path report showed a few stray cells of dcis, but still had clean margins......still being offered brachy - but now im second guessing and wondering if there are more stray cells, and if i should do EXternal rads, just for peace of mind. All of this after i had already decided.....now im sitting here, appt tomorrow to put in cath.......and im scared im doing the wrong thing! all my docs say its up to me, there are sometimes stray cells they cant see anyway......the rads take care of that along with tamox - still not sure!
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I had a lumpectomy last week. MD is pushing SAVI, but I have a hematoma (got one 4 days after the surgery, and was still dealing with the one from the biosy) and it is so painful. Has anyone gone thru this? the other thread in this site was traumatic to read...alot about the pain. I am concerned about the possibility of another hematoma and seroma.
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i had a seroma after LX........and when they put the savi device in 2 weeks later, it pretty much drained all the fluid out of the cavity. So it was a relief. No problems during or after treatment.
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I am scheduled to have the savi implant in less than two weeks. I am very scared, the biopsy was a nightmare due to a large hematoma and I was told I would feel nothing at time of biopsy, it was some of the worse pain I have experienced and now I am getting told the same thing again, they will numb me up and I won't feel it. I find that hard to believe after previous experience. I am very small breasted and the tumor was on the chest wall. I can't sleep for worrying about it. Has anyone had anything similar and do they give you anything for pain while you have it in
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they do numb you.....but i would ask them if its ok to take a pain med. I was super worried about them taking the device OUT... and took a pain med and felt nothing. I didnt feel anything when they put it in, just pressure. I had a hard time with the biopsy as well. This was a cake walk compared to that.
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I didn't have the Savi but one like it in March. They did numb me and it never hurt the whole time I had it in. Felt a bit strange but didn't hurt. Taking it out stung a bit but didn't hurt. I'm glad I went that way.
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I had the SAVI device and ended my treatments on August 17 of this year. It was uncomfortable and I had a hard time sleeping, but it was worth it. Removal for me was painful, but was over quickly.
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I had bilateral lumpectomies and node biopsies about three weeks ago and have been told I am a good candidate for the Savi system for radiation. I am scheduled to have the devices placed in two weeks. I am worried about having them both in at the same time and how uncomfortable this will be, as far as sleeping etc. Has anyone had both breasts with the SAVI devices at the same time. I am nervous and anxious about it. Thanks.
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I didnt have both, but I will say it wasnt uncomfortable for me to sleep with the device in - i even woke up sleeping ON it a few times..... Im sure it will go fine. Keep us posted!
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What makes one a good candidate for this?
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I copied this from my rads website:
To be a candidate for breast brachytherapy, a patient must have:-
Invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) 3 cm or less in size.
- Node negative of no more than three positive lymph nodes of the axilla (armpit area). For patients with 3 or fewer positive nodes, we insist that the tumor has not penetrated the capsule of a lymph node (medical term: extranodal extension). We believe that patients with more than three nodes involved, or with extranodal extension, should consider comprehensive external beam radiation therapy to the breast and lymph node areas instead of brachytherapy.
- Clear surgical margins of at least 1 mm.
- Unicentric breast cancer (no other areas of the breast with cancer).
- A negative pregnancy test or no possibility of pregnancy.
- A time interval of no more than 6 weeks from lumpectomy or re-excision surgery, or breast ultrasound or CT evidence for a clear lumpectomy cavity edge for target volume definition.
New Guidelines from the American Society of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics
Please Note - we do not use or condone these extremely strict criteria written primarily by physicians who do not offer accelerated partial breast irradiation, but present them for your information.Suitable for APBI:- Age > 60 years
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No BRCA 1/2 mutation
- Tumor size < 2 cm, unicentric
- Clinically unifocal with total size < 2 cm
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Invasive ductal, mucinous, tubular, and colloid carcinomas
- Margins negative by at least 2 mm
- Node-negative or immunohistochemistry (+) cells only
- No extensive intraductal component
- No Lymphvascular Invasion
- Estrogen receptor positive
- No pure DCIS
- No neoadjuvant therapy
Any of these criteria should invoke caution and concern when considering APBI:- Age 50 - 59 years
- Tumor size 2.1 - 3.0 cm (invasive component)
- Clinically unifocal with total size 2.1 - 3.0 cm
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Invasive lobular carcinomas
- Margins close < 2 mm
- Extensive intraductal component < 3 cm
- Limited or focal Lymphvascular Invasion
- Estrogen receptor negative
- Pure DCIS < 3 cm
Patients unsuitable for breast brachytherapy unless they are on a clinical trial:- Age < 50 years
- BRCA 1/2 mutation present
- Tumor size > 3.0 cm or stage T3 or T4
- Multicentricity
- Multifocal disease > 3 cm in total size or clinically multifocal
- Positive surgical margins
- Pathologic involvement of any lymph nodes or if nodal surgery not performed for invasive cancers
- Extensive intraductal component > 3 cm
- Extensive Lymphvascular Invasion
- Pure DCIS > 3 cm
- Neoadjuvant therapy
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Shayne wrote:
"I copied this from my rads website:
To be a candidate for breast brachytherapy, a patient must have:...New Guidelines from the American Society of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics
Please Note - we do not use or condone these extremely strict criteria written primarily by physicians who do not offer accelerated partial breast irradiation, but present them for your information."The claim presented in this note is misleading. The guidelines developed by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics were written by a committee of physicians from all schools of thought in radiation oncology, including those who strongly advocate breast brachytherapy.(The ASTRO guidelines can be found here: http://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(09)00313-7/abstract )A more accurate description is that the brachytherapy advocates are using guidelines that most of their professional colleagues do not find to be supported by sufficient evidence.For those who would like to read a more balanced assessment the following page is a good description of the current state of knowledge: -
the "balanced assessment" is based on studies on very select groups of women, as the San Antonio study that was women on Medicare over 66. That is a very specific group of women, women who might not have access to quality care, who would take in consideration diet changes, alternative medicine, and their age. I did a lot of research and read a lot of studies before I made the choice of going for brachytherapy, as well as talking to a lot of women who had it done years ago. These studies should be taken in the context of the group they were studying.
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Hi, I'm going through SAVI treatment now, and I'm so glad I decided to go with this over the 6-7 week external beam! Got the device inserted on Thursday, went for the initial cat scan on Friday, and started my treatments on 6/24/13. Four down, six to go. Minor discomfort, minimal really. I'm on antibiotics, which I think are required for this to prevent infection. Each time you go in for treatment, you get a cat scan to make sure the device is still properly placed, then you go to the treatment room where you are hooked up to the HDR machine (high dose radiation). The first thing that happens is that the machine checks each one of the 10 catheters. It checks each catheter individually again just before it inserts the radiation source. Depending on the age of the radioactive source, treatments can run from 8 to 15 minutes, give or take. It's completely painless. What I find painful is lying on that hard cat scan table--kills my lower back, and then I've got to go lay on the treatment table, but at least that one is generously padded. All the nurses and techs have been great, they want the patient to be as comfortable as possible as they go through treatment. I've been so fortunate that both my surgeries went very smoothly and that I was able to do the SAVI. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
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