St. Luke's is now offering intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for early stage breast cancer patients through an international clinical trial. IORT combines surgery with an initial, concentrated dose of radiation precisely focused on the area where most breast cancers recur.
"This is exciting technology, which gives selected breast cancer patients another treatment option," said Robert Brimmer, MD, Physicians' Clinic of Iowa general surgeon. "It eliminates weeks of radiation treatment and applies radiation precisely where most breast cancers recur. Patients will only need three weeks radiation therapy following surgery. Patients who don't receive IORT typically require six weeks of radiation therapy. IORT delivers a single targeted dose of radiation directly to a tumor site during surgery."
During surgery, after the doctor removes the tumor, a radiation oncologist applies a concentrated dose of electron beam radiation directly to the tumor bed. A shield and cone protect healthy tissue from unnecessary radiation. In one to two minutes patients receive radiation equal to 5 to 7 daily radiation treatments. Studies show IORT offers low recurrence rates because it treats the precise area where most breast cancers recur.
Through the research project, IORT will be used to treat women with early stage breast cancer. The treatment involves a lumpectomy, with IORT at the same time as surgery. Then women will have three weeks of external beam radiation therapy.
"For selected women with early stage breast cancer, IORT may be an alternative to mastectomy, or lumpectomy with six weeks radiation," said Dr. Brimmer. "In rural Iowa, IORT could save significant drive time, stress and expense to cancer patients. It is hard to see a woman choose to have a mastectomy because she cannot tolerate the time commitment required of radiation therapy after breast conservation. It is hoped that more women would be able to fit the IORT treatment into their busy lives and take advantage of breast-conserving surgery rather than undergoing mastectomy."
Call 319/369-7216 for more information about IORT or go to radiationduringsurgery.com.
