IORT in breast cancer. Our experience of the first patients treated

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of intraoperative radiotherapy, describe the method and examine the results of our experience.

BACKGROUND: Breast conserving therapy has recently become a standard treatment modality in patients with early invasive cancer. Radiotherapy, along with surgery, is an integral part of such treatment. The important thing of radiotherapy is to deliver a high dose to the tumour bed. One of the methods is the intraoperative radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis comprised 41 breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery. Patient’s range age was 35-80 years. Cancer type distribution inlcuded: 95% ductal carcinoma, 5% other carcinoma. Applicator size: 4 cm. (12%), 5 cm. (64%), 6 cm. (17%), 7 cm. (7%). Electron energies: 6 MeV (22%), 8 MeV (56%), 10 MeV (22%). Intraoperative radiation therapy was delivered in the operating theatre during surgery. After that, all patients were treated with whole breast irradiation.

RESULTS: 41 patients treated with IORT procedures completed. In general there were no severe postoperative complications and we did not detect tumor recurrence in any patient even if the time elapsed from the treatment is still short.

CONCLUSIONS: Due to its exceptional physical and radiobiological properties, intraoperative radiation therapy can be a good alternative to other methods of boosting dose to the postoperative site in management.