Breast cancer is a prevalent disease in women, and treatment often involves radiation therapy after surgery to remove the cancerous tumor.

While radiation therapy is an effective way to kill cancer cells, it can also cause damage to healthy tissue, including the heart. Radiation-induced heart disease is a serious concern for women receiving breast radiation, as it can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiac events.

However, a new technique is showing promise in reducing heart risks from breast radiation.

The Problem

Radiation-induced heart disease occurs when the radiation used to kill cancer cells also damages the nearby healthy tissues, including the heart.

Over time, this damage can lead to the development of blockages in the arteries, which can result in heart attacks and other cardiac events. The risk of radiation-induced heart disease is especially high for women receiving radiation therapy for left-sided breast cancer, as the heart is situated on the left side of the chest.

The Current Solution

Doctors have long been aware of the risks of radiation-induced heart disease, and they take steps to minimize the risks for women receiving breast radiation therapy.

One of the most common strategies is to use what’s known as a “deep inspiration breath hold” technique. This technique involves asking the patient to take a deep breath and hold it during radiation treatment, which causes the heart to move away from the radiation field.

This reduces the amount of radiation that reaches the heart and lowers the risk of radiation-induced heart disease.

The Promise of a New Technique

While the deep inspiration breath hold technique has been effective in reducing heart risks from breast radiation, it’s not suitable for everyone.

Some patients find it difficult to hold their breath for the required length of time, while others may not be physically able to do so. This can limit the effectiveness of the technique and increase the risk of radiation-induced heart disease.

However, a new technique is showing promise in reducing heart risks from breast radiation. This technique involves the use of a special device, known as a “cardiac spacer,” which is placed between the heart and the breast tissue.

The device creates a space for the heart, which helps to reduce the amount of radiation that reaches the heart and lowers the risk of radiation-induced heart disease.

How the Cardiac Spacer Works

The cardiac spacer is a small balloon-like device that’s inserted between the ribs and positioned between the heart and the breast tissue. The device is inflated, which creates a space for the heart and pushes it away from the radiation field.

This reduces the amount of radiation that reaches the heart, which in turn lowers the risk of radiation-induced heart disease.

The Benefits of the Cardiac Spacer

The cardiac spacer offers several benefits over the deep inspiration breath hold technique. For one, it’s suitable for all patients, regardless of their ability to hold their breath.

It’s also more effective in reducing heart risks from breast radiation, as it creates a larger space between the heart and the radiation field. Additionally, it’s more comfortable for patients, as they do not need to hold their breath during treatment.

The Results

Preliminary studies on the cardiac spacer are promising. A study conducted at the University of Arizona Cancer Center showed that the device reduced the amount of radiation that reached the heart by up to 68 percent.

Another study conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that the device significantly reduced the risk of radiation-induced heart disease in women with left-sided breast cancer.

While more research is needed to confirm these findings, the cardiac spacer shows great promise in reducing heart risks from breast radiation therapy.

The Bottom Line

Radiation-induced heart disease is a serious concern for women receiving breast radiation therapy, but a new technique is showing promise in reducing heart risks.

The cardiac spacer, a small device that’s inserted between the heart and breast tissue, helps to reduce the amount of radiation that reaches the heart and lower the risk of radiation-induced heart disease. While more research is needed, the cardiac spacer offers a promising new strategy for reducing heart risks from breast radiation therapy.