Breast cancer treatment 'could replace the need for radiation' Â Â

British scientists announced last night they are on the brink of developing radical treatment for breast cancer that would eliminate the need radiation therapy.

Under the technique, which experts believe is the first of its type in the world, a tumour is removed in a procedure called a lumpectomy before a device the size of a ping-pong ball is inserted into the breast.

Using a light local anaesthetic, the metal sphere is left in situ where it provides 20 minutes of ionising radiation, targeted directly at the tumour site, before it is removed and the wound stitched up. The technique, which has been successfully used to treat 30 women, is being developed at University College London Hospitals. Details of the therapy were outlined in a report delivered at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America last night.

Dr Jeffrey Tobias, consultant clinical oncologist at UCL, said: "This technique is potentially very exciting ... it is a safe technology without any of the potential side-effects of radiation. It is very early days yet but we have had no recurrences."

Dr Tobias said about three-quarters of women with breast cancer are candidates for lumpectomy, rather than mastectomy, which is the total removal of the breast.

He said UCL had been carrying out a randomised trial comparing surgery and the new technique for a year. A pilot study lasting three years, was producing "promising" results.

Other benefits from the treatment include the freeing up of resources and the greater convenience for patients.

Dr Tobias said: "It would totally minimise the disruption of having daily radiotherapy sessions, especially if patients are elderly or infirm."