Am I eligible for Brachytherapy - SAVI or Mammosite

dazed, glad your nodes were negative. Only the radiation oncologist can tell you whether or not you're eligible, but I had SAVI radiation in January. It was actually about a 10 day process. I had met with RO and then several days later went for CT scans for them to use for eligibility. Once they determined I was eligible, I went in on a Tuesday or Wednesday and the breast surgeon implanted the catheter SAVI device--not too painful but uncomfortable. The following day I returned for additional CT scans which were used for further calculations. I was notified Friday it was a go and returned each of the following Monday-Friday for twice a day sessions about 6 hours apart. Before each session I was given a CT scan to make sure the device was still located properly and the actual radiation session was about 6-10 minutes long. In between sessions, I ran errands, had lunch with friends, etc. and since I was over an hour from the hospital, it was great to have it all done in 5 days of treatment. I had no skin problems and the seroma I had had before the SAVI treatment, greatly improved during the week of radiation. The treatment team was wonderful and made it all easy. You have to be willing to dress the open wound yourself over the weekend (the device wires hang out of the open wound but you bind them in place and wear a breast binder to keep it all put together) but the nurses took care of dressing it after each treatment. The only downside was that once the device is implanted, you cannot take a full shower until after the device is removed immediately following the last treatment. Ask the team lots of questions at each stage. They are in charge of scheduling, but no matter what day you start, you will have the device in over a weekend. Best wishes and let us know how you're doing.

The initial scans determine the location. The catheter has to be a minimum distance from the chest wall (can't remember what distance -- 10 mm maybe?) I found the worst part to be not showering for 10 days and a rash I got from the tape adhesive. I do have a quarter sized scar with telangictasia and I had a seroma which resolved itself. Seromas are not unusual with brachytherapy. Mine was not painful.

I was very happy with the procedure. Best of luck with your treatment.

My center would only do it on consecutive days. I had to delay my treatment for a week because of machine issues on what was originally scheduled as day one.

Dear dazed,

I had the savi. My treatment started on a Wednesday and ended the following Tuesday (so I had a weekend in between). I am small busted so I thought the catheter placement was very uncomfortable, also, my tumor was very close to the chest wall.

I did develop a seroma (and still have a small one) and I was fatigued from the radiation (but still worked).

Really, the hardest part was bot being able to take a complete bath for about 10 days (you cannot get the catheter wet).

Good luck

Dear Auntienance, I am scheduled to do Brachytherapy as well. My lumpectomy is Tues, March 22, and the Brachytherapy (Contura, I think) is scheduled for that following Monday, Mar 28. My first RO apt is tomorrow morning....well, actually this morning, since I cannot sleep and am on this site trying to gather info and questions for the appointment. It appears that you had the same diagnosis that I have, Tubular, etc. I see that you had rads and chemo too. I did not get the impression that they thinking I would need chemo, but I guess we'll see on that. Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding the Brachytherapy?