Optimal treatment of breast cancer
Prone radiation is an innovative treatment for breast cancer. This form of cancer is among the most common in women. Irradiating the tumor is considered a very effective form of therapy, along with chemotherapy. However, when irradiation is performed in the reverse position, impairment of healthy organs such as the heart and lungs occurs.
Arrange appointment
After a diagnosis of breast cancer, the treating medical team develops an individual strategy for treating the tumor. Our specialists in Munich and Wolfratshausen are available to help cure cancer by means of radiation therapy (in the prone position). You are welcome to talk personally with one of our specialists.
Where can you have irradiation performed in the prone position?
We offer gentle irradiation in the prone position at all our sites. You can therefore choose between the Munich practices at Maximiliansplatz and Klinikum Schwabing and the Wolfratshausen site.
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Gentle breast cancer radiation in prone position?
At all of our 3 radiotherapy sites, a radiation system for breast cancer patients is available that is currently used in only a few radiotherapy centers in Germany.
This is the Sagittilt system from the company Orfit, which enables breast cancer radiation in the prone position. Compared to conventional supine positioning, this radiation technique allows the greatest possible protection of surrounding organs such as the heart and lungs in most patients.
In this case, the patient lies on her stomach, and the positioning aid is also tilted in the longitudinal axis by a few degrees onto the affected side of the chest. Arm supports and a fixation over the buttocks ensure stable positioning.
Sagittilt – innovative technology
Positioning on the sagittilt provides a variable mechanism that allows the patient to be tilted. As a result, the breast tissue is positioned in the best possible way by gravity. Due to the rotation leaves the chest further away from the heart and lungs and at the same time minimizes the pressure on the ribs. The position can be reproduced for each individual patient.
No effort is required by the patient, as the entire body is tilted according to its longitudinal axis. This means that the patient remains flat and, thanks to the support shells, also lies securely – a clear gain in comfort during treatment. Thanks to various elbow and head positioning options, our patients find the treatment gentle on their strength and problem-free.
Advantages of irradiation in prone position with variable positioning
Irradiation in the prone position results in a significantly more restricted radiation range – healthy tissue and unaffected organs are spared considerably. To demonstrate this, we created different cross-sectional images through the upper body at the level of the chest. The yellow arrows mark the direction of the rays during breast cancer irradiation, the yellow line illustrates the boundary of the radiation field towards the inside of the body.
When irradiating in the prone position, it can be seen that the heart and lungs are not touched, whereas the radiation field in the supine position includes parts of the heart and lungs. Thus, in many patients, a significantly lower radiation exposure of the heart and lungs can be achieved than in the supine position.
During the initial consultation before starting breast cancer treatment in our practice, we will be happy to check whether this radiation option is also suitable for your disease situation.