Surgery – Radioactive substance applied to body for therapy
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-28
2001-01-30
Hindenburg, Max (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Radioactive substance applied to body for therapy
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179766
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of adjuvant methods and devices for breast cancer treatment. Specifically, brachytherapy methods to treat a tumor, preferably a breast tumor, are described.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One method of treating breast cancer is by radiotherapy. It may also be necessary to treat the parasternal lymph nodes as part of the course of breast cancer radiotherapy. Such radiotherapeutic treatment of the parasternal lymph nodes may lead to irradiation of large areas of normal tissue. This limits the total dose of radiation that can be delivered to the malignant tissue. Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy whereby a radiation source is placed in or near target malignant cells. One advantage of brachytherapy is the ability to deliver a higher dose of radiation while minimizing irradiation of normal tissue. Some methods of treating breast cancer, such as breast cancer metastases including metastases to the parasternal lymph nodes, include surgically cutting an internal thoracic artery and inserting a tube containing a source of radiation to treat parasternal lymph nodes after a mastectomy. This invasive procedure requires skilled surgeons, is mutilating and entails considerable risk for the patient, including post-operative infection. A minimally-invasive adjuvant method for treating breast cancer, such as breast cancer metastases, is needed. The present invention addresses this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Methods of treating a tumor are described. In one aspect of the invention, a method of treating a tumor includes placing a radioactive material at a first predetermined site within an intact internal thoracic vessel for a time period sufficient to provide a therapeutically effective amount of radiation. In this aspect of the invention, placing the radioactive material at a first predetermined site may include positioning a first catheter having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough in the lumen of the intact internal thoracic vessel, preferably an artery, and positioning a radioactive material at a predetermined site within the lumen of the first catheter. The methods are advantageously used in the treatment of breast tumor metastases, especially metastases that effect the parasternal lymph nodes.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method of treating a tumor includes placing a first catheter having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough into a femoral vessel, preferably an artery, advancing the first catheter into an internal thoracic vessel, preferably an artery, advancing a second catheter through the lumen of the first catheter wherein the second catheter has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, preferably having a closed distal end, and placing a radioactive material at a predetermined site within the lumen of the second catheter for a time period sufficient to provide a therapeutically effective amount of radiation. Other sites of entry to an internal thoracic vessel may include the radial vessel, brachial vessel or axillary vessel.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a treatment catheter is provided. The treatment catheter includes a first elongated tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The treatment catheter further includes a distal tip section including a proximal end, a distal end which is preferably closed and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. However, in yet other aspects of the invention, the distal tip section may be solid. The proximal end of the distal tip section abuts the distal end of the first elongated tube. The treatment catheter further includes a wire guide channel having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The wire guide channel extends along the longitude of the distal tip section. The lumen of the treatment catheter may advantageously house a radioactive material.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a kit for treating a tumor is provided. The kit includes an introducer, a first catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The distal end of the first catheter advantageously has a curved configuration. The first catheter is also configured to introduce a second catheter inside a vascular passageway. The kit further includes a second catheter that includes a first elongated tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The second catheter further includes a distal tip section including a proximal end, a distal end which is preferably closed and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. In alternate embodiments, the distal tip section may be solid. The proximal end of the distal tip section abuts the distal end of the first elongated tube. The second catheter further includes a wire guide channel having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The wire guide channel extends along the longitude of the distal tip section. The lumen of the treatment catheter may advantageously house a radioactive material. In a preferred embodiment, the first catheter is an internal mammary artery guiding catheter.
It is an object of the invention to provide minimally-invasive and non-disfiguring methods of treating a tumor, such as breast tumors, and especially breast tumors that have spread to a lymph node, such as a parasternal lymph node.
It is a further object of the invention to provide methods of treating a tumor, such as breast tumors, and especially breast tumors that have spread to a lymph node, such as a parasternal lymph node, that minimize damage to normal tissue.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a treatment catheter and a kit for treating a tumor, such as breast tumors, and especially breast tumors that have spread to a lymph node, such as a parasternal lymph node, that are advantageously used in a minimally-invasive method of treating a tumor.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the descriptions herein.
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Hindenburg Max
Szmal Brian
Woodard Emhardt Naughton Moriarty & McNett
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