Breast surgeon Jenn Simmons at Einstein Health Science Center uses BioSorb, a spiraled implant that acts as a temporary scaffold after lumpectomy to improve cosmetic results. It dissolves over time while titanium clips mark the tumor site for radiation. Patient Carolyn Kelly is cancer-free on follow-up mammograms.
Chapters
Live from the CBS broadcast center in Philadelphia, this is CBS 3 Eyewitness News at 6. Still to come on Eyewitness News, a small device with big benefits for breast cancer patients. Our Stephanie Stahl explains not one, but two ways this spiral contraption can help people battling the disease. As we continue to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month tonight, we have more on new high tech help for certain kinds of breast cancer patients.
And health reporter Stephanie Stahl has more now in the Einstein Health Science center reports. This is an interesting new contraption to tell you about. This is a device that's being used by a breast surgeon at Einstein and it helps with both cosmetic outcomes and radiation.
This is a spiral contraption that's giving breast cancer patients new benefits.
It served its purpose well.
51 year old Carolyn Kelly, an active mom, was diagnosed with breast cancer a year and a half ago. That's when Einstein breast surgeon Jennifer Simmons explained that the spiral, a spiral device called BioSorb could help avoid a mastectomy.
So when she told me that we could still do the lumpectomy, I was pretty relieved.
Biosorb that comes in different sizes does two things. The first is cosmetic. To fill in where the cancerous tissue.
Is removed, it serves as a lattice. It is open so it allows for tissue in growth and it really supports the tissue and leads to very good cosmetic results.
As the tissue grows in, the spiral dissolves, leaving behind titanium clips or markers. Its second use is to guide any future radiation that might be needed.
They just need to target this area where the clips are because that's representative of where the tumor was so that patients end up getting less radiation, therefore less scarring.
Follow up mammograms where the markers highlight the surgery site show Carolyn remains cancer free.
I was pretty much back to normal. Everything has worked out really well.
Now she's happy to get back to house repairs, dragon boat racing and feeling good about herself.
The overall cosmetic outcome is great. I think I look amazing. How's that?
She does look amazing, doesn't she? She is obviously thrilled to have the new device. Now it is only used on some patients who are eligible for lumpectomies and it also depends on the kind of cancer and its location. Pretty cool device though.
Amazing device. Amazing. Exactly. Thanks. Appreciate it.
