May 2, 2007 - Xoft Inc. announced at the 8th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons that the first breast cancer patients have been treated using the Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System. The early stage breast cancer treatment uses a miniaturized X-ray source that can deliver localized and targeted radiation treatment in virtually any clinical setting under the supervision of a radiation oncologist.
Philip Z. Israel, M.D., director of The Breast Center in Marietta, directed treatment of the first two patients, which was performed at WellStar Kennestone Hospital. Early clinical results of these patients will be presented at a symposium hosted by Xoft at the ASBS meeting. Entitled "The Role of the Surgeon in Electronic Brachytherapy of the Breast," the panel of leading breast surgeons will focus on how this method may significantly increase access to radiation treatment and thus, demand for breast-conserving therapy. Peter Beitsch, M.D., director of the Dallas Breast Center, will discuss best practices to implement this technology as well as a planned patient registry, which will be administered by ASBS to track patient data and outcomes.
"I am delighted to be involved in making this important new tool available to patients," said Dr. Israel. "Electronic Brachytherapy will make partial breast irradiation available to patients in rural areas where large radiation centers are not located. This will give more patients access to breast conserving surgery and possibly avoid mastectomy."