Rhode Island Hospital is the first site in the world to treat endometrial cancer using the Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System. The system, first approved for early stage breast cancer, is now approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of uterine cancer. The first patient received treatment on September 9 at the Providence, RI hospital.

The Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System by Xoft uses a miniaturized X-ray source to deliver localized and targeted radiation treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease. It is inserted into the tumor through a catheter to the tumor site and allows medical staff administering the treatment to be in the room with the patient. The new treatment requires fewer sessions than traditional radiation and eliminates the use of radioactive isotopes, resulting in better outcomes for patients, less exposure to radiation and fewer side effects. The system was designed to improve survival and reduce recurrence of cancer

Rhode Island Hospital, the first in the world to use the Axxent System for the treatment of endometrial cancer, was also among the first in the country to use the system in the treatment of early stage breast cancer, and has seen positive results since it was FDA approved in 2007.

Endometrial cancer is a disease in which malignant cells grow in the lining of a woman’s uterus, affecting about 40,000 women each year. It is the most prevalent gynecologic cancer in the United States, and is also the fourth most common invasive cancer. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of these cases are eligible for treatment with electronic brachytherapy.

The most common treatment is surgery, however, additional types of treatment are often used following surgery to prevent tumor recurrence or if it is considered to be an aggressive form of cancer. These treatments include traditional radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. When radiation therapy is determined to be the most appropriate course of action, women will undergo radiation treatments that can often last up to five weeks and then use vaginal cylinder implant treatment. In some patients we use vaginal cylinder implant treatment alone.

Yakub Puthawala, MD, a radiation oncologist with Rhode Island Hospital, says, “This treatment is revolutionary in the way we provide care to women with endometrial cancers. Vaginal brachytherapy for endometrial cancer is well accepted and we are excited to be the first cancer center to offer this wonderful new electronic treatment option.” He also notes, “We believe our patients will find it comforting that we can be in the room with them, unlike other forms of radiation treatment. It allows us to provide more compassionate care.”

For more information, call the Rhode Island Hospital Radiation Oncology department at 401-444-8311 or visit the web site at www.rhodeislandhospital.org.