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GraniD
GraniD Member Posts: 4
edited September 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I did not research radiation before lumpectomy; neither Oncologist nor Surgeon mentioned internal radiation. Just met Radiologist (some team) and he only does external. No one in Tallahassee, Fl (60 miles away) does internal. Are private for-profit Mammosite, Savi, Contura providers safe, reputable? Where in the southeast can I go to get 5-day? I will contact all, get guidelines, send pathology, etc.

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited August 2017

    GraniD, I'm sorry you find yourself here and dealing with radiation issues. I have no direct knowledge of brachytherapy providers in Florida, but a quick Google search using "breast cancer brachytherapy Florida" came up with a number of what appears to be hospitals and university listings. Maybe someone else will respond to your posting with first-hand information.

    If you haven't already tried searching this site for more info about brachytherapy and the specific types like SAVI, Mammosite, etc., click on the word "Search" in the blue icon area in upper left column of the page. The responses to the search will give you personal views of this type of radiation and questions others have had. I don't remember if anyone from the Florida area was posting but worth a try.

    Personally, I had positive experience with SAVI treatment. I've posted on several of the brachytherapy threads if you want to read.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2017

    Several hospitals here in Tampa offer brachytherapy. These are not private providers, regular billable to insurance providers.

    Moffitt Cancer Center, NCI

    Florida Hospital Tampa

    Tampa General Hospital

    Also offered at UF Orlando Healt



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  • GraniD
    GraniD Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2017

    Wow, very hopeful! Today I emailed a general request for info to Moffitt. I will phone the others on Monday. My google searching did not show/I did not realize those hospitals offered internal radiation. I will be contacting each one to see if I meet their guidelines.

    It appears you have been a part of this impressive support group for years. Thank you for taking time to offer information.

    GraniD

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2017

    grani - I was initially a candidate for lumpectomy and brachytherapy at Florida Hospital Tampa, with Dr Greenberg as the RO. I ended up with bi-lateral mastectomy, so didn't require rads. Here is the info from Dr Greenberg's profile with FHT:

    https://www.floridahospital.com/tampa/doctor/harve...


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  • GraniD
    GraniD Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2017

    Looked him up, thanks. I regret the learning curve you endured but very grateful you reach back to pull us along.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2017

    grani - water under the bridge, and I am happy to help!

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  • angiepie
    angiepie Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2017

    Did you find someone to do internal radiation? I had existing implants before my lumpectomy and I found Dr. Robert Kuske in Arizona (I am in Texas) as basically the only dr to do the internal radiation on patients with implants. I am going to AZ in two weeks to have my radiation therapy done there by him.

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  • GraniD
    GraniD Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2017

    Hello Angiepie, I am getting closer and closer to finding a Radiation Oncologist trained to do interstitial brachytherapy....I hope. Last chemo Sept. 12, appt. Mayo Clinic Radiologist, Jacksonville, Oct. 2. I contacted the Florida sites given to me on here and learned most do interoperative or require a marked cavity to proceed. As my lumpectomy was well healed, I began looking specifically for interstitial-trained radiologists and may have found one at Mayo Clinic. Now I will learn if my specifics match her guidelines. Hoping my desire for shorter time investment carries some weight.

    Thank you for asking. Good luck with your procedure.

    Diane

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