Breastlink Completes First IORT Surgical Procedure
ORANGE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Breastlink Medical Group (Breastlink), a network of breast health centers offering full-service breast cancer treatment from initial screenings to completion of treatment, a division of RadNet, Inc., a national market leader providing high-quality, cost-effective diagnostic imaging services through a network of fully-owned and operated outpatient imaging centers, announced it has completed its first intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) procedure using the Xoft Axxent® eBx System. The surgical procedure was lead by Amy Bremner, MD, lead surgeon at Breastlink's Temecula Valley center.
The Xoft system for IORT delivers a single, prescribed, targeted dose of radiation during surgery directly to the tumor cavity. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Axxent system for the treatment of breast cancer in January 2012. This procedure was performed in conjunction with the Breastlink Research Group as part of a clinical trial (U.S. National Institutes of Health identifier: NCT01644669) to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Axxent IORT system for early stage breast cancer.
"I am committed to working with patients, and their families, to make sure we achieve superior oncologic outcomes," said Dr. Bremner. "Many of our patients lead busy, active lives. Some travel great distances for surgical treatment. For these patients a one-time radiation treatment is ideal and obviates the need for multiple trips necessary with whole breast radiotherapy."
The Axxent IORT system provides many benefits to patients, including reducing radiation exposure to overlying skin and nearby organs and shortening the radiation treatment to one intraoperative dose. Peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated the dose of radiation therapy delivered during an IORT procedure is equivalent to six weeks of treatment associated with traditional radiotherapy of the entire breast.
"Breastlink's commitment to deliver the highest quality and most advanced care to our patients includes exploring cutting-edge breast cancer techniques and treatments," said RadNet Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer – Western Operations, Norman Hames. "The Breastlink Research Group is dedicated to improve evidence-based medicine's ability to treat breast cancer. Working with organizations that share this same pledge enhances our ability to provide patients with the latest treatment options."
About Breastlink
Breastlink is a network of breast health centers offering full-service breast cancer treatment from initial screenings to completion of treatment. Breastlink has a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, psychotherapists, researchers and patient advocates on staff to address the comprehensive needs of breast cancer patients.
Breastlink has four locations in Southern California (Orange, Temecula Valley, Rancho Mirage and Manhattan Beach). For more information please visit Breastlink.com.
About RadNet, Inc.
RadNet, Inc. is a national leader in providing high-quality, cost-effective, fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 238 owned and/or operated outpatient imaging centers (inclusive of 20 facilities held in joint ventures). RadNet's core markets include California, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New York. Together with affiliated radiologists, and inclusive of full-time and per diem employees and technicians, RadNet has a total of approximately 6,300 employees.
Andrew Ausanka-Crues
Communications Manager, Breastlink
(805) 451-0931
