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What is SAVI?
The Strut Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI) applicator delivers a form of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), a shortened course of high-dose radiation for early-stage breast cancer patients following lumpectomy surgery. It is a single-entry breast brachytherapy device
that allows physicians to customize radiation based on patient-specific anatomy. It has been in clinical use since 2006. The Community Cancer Center has been utilizing this advanced technology since 2012.
How does SAVI work?
The SAVI applicator is implanted into the lumpectomy cavity at the time of surgery or
in an office-based procedure after surgery. The applicator’s unique strut-based, open architecture design enables physicians to precisely target radiation where it is needed most while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
What are the advantages of SAVI?
The SAVI applicator’s ability to customize radiation offers significant benefits, including:
• Minimizes dose to normal tissue without sacrificing
overall treatment coverage.
• Eliminates skin spacing restrictions
• Reduces the risk of fibrosis and symptomatic seroma.
• Expands the number of women eligible for APBI.
What is breast brachytherapy?
Breast brachytherapy is a form of APBI that delivers radiation from inside the breast, via a device placed through a surgical incision. The advantage is that radiation is delivered only to the tissue immediately surrounding the tumor cavity, reducing treatment time from 6-7 weeks to just 5 days and sparing more healthy tissue.
What are the advantages of APBI for women?
• Greater convenience. By reducing therapy from 6-7 weeks to just 5 days, APBI means far less disruption to patients’ lives and families.
• Less financial stress. Women who receive APBI usually avoid the out-of-town expenses and prolonged absence from work sometimes required with standard radiation therapy. Many patients are able to work and maintain other normal activities.
• Better outcomes. With other forms of breast conservation therapy, women may experience damage to healthy tissue as a result of excessive radiation exposure to the skin, ribs, heart and lungs. SAVI reduces the risk of damage to healthy tissue and the chest wall.
What are the qualifications for this type of treatment?
If you have a breast cancer discovered while it is small you may be eligible for this treatment.
Contact our Patient Navigator, Sara Ray at 541-673-2267
if you have more questions. She also can be reached at sray@CCCRoseburg.org.