CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WRIC) — Denise Graves cannot believe something so small is having such a big impact on her life. Diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer following a routine mammogram in February, Dr. James Pellicane of Bon Secours Virginia Breast Center implanted the new BioZorb device during her surgery.
“I have my energy, and I am just grateful every single day. Feeling very blessed,” Graves says about her recovery.
BioZorb is a 3D marker placed where Dr. Pellicane removed her lump. Medically, he says it helps the radiation oncologist better pinpoint where to focus the beam. Cosmetically, it creates a sort of scaffolding around the tissue.
(Image Courtesy: Focal Therapeutics)
“Sometimes you’ll see patients that have a little bit of a divot in the breast where the tumor was because the tissue falls-in in that area,” Dr. Pellicane explains. “But this helps prevent that.”
He explains BioZorb dissolves in about a year but leaves behind six titanium clips at the treatment site to help oncologists monitor the area. It can help to cut down on cancer recurrence along with the rib and chest wall pain often felt years after surgery.
“I’m very thrilled with the device,” Graves says about her results with BioZorb. “The shape and the feel and all of that, it’s perfect so I’m really excited.”
She says she is moving forward, thankful for BioZorb and that she was proactive about her health.
“This thing was two-centimeters, and it wasn’t there the year before,” Graves describes her tumor. “Had I waited another year, my outcome, I maybe wouldn’t be sitting here telling you this fabulous end to my story, so get mammograms.”
Dr. Pellicane says BioZorb is appropriate for anyone who is not a candidate for partial breast radiation. He has used it in about 25 patients over the past six months and has not seen any major side effects.
