WellStar Cancer Network 2016 Annual Report

IORT Procedure
INTRAOPERATIVE RADIATION THERAPY (IORT)
In April 2015, WellStar Kennestone started its Intraoperative
Radiation Therapy (IORT) Pilot Program for early-stage
breast cancer. IORT allows for delivery of a single fraction
of radiation to the lumpectomy site while the patient is still
in the operating room. The use of IORT has been reported
in two European studies. The ELIOT trial, published by
Veronesi in 2008, reported the results of 1,246 patients
treated with intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy
showing a five-year survival of approximately 96.5 percent.
The current standard treatment for early-stage breast
cancer is mastectomy or lumpectomy followed by five to
seven weeks of daily whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT)
treatments. Patients for whom IORT is a suitable option are
no longer inconvenienced by a five- to seven-week schedule
of daily post-operative WBRT and its possible side effects.
IORT is well tolerated by patients and is usually performed
in an outpatient surgery setting. The cosmetic results for
IORT are favorable, as the radiation is localized to only the
lumpectomy site. In addition to the clinical and physical
benefits, IORT is predicted to reduce the overall cost of
treatment for early-stage breast cancer.
Tumor is removed.
Balloon applicator is
placed into the cavity.
Radiation treatment
is delivered in as little
as 8 minutes.
Balloon is removed and
the cavity is closed.
14 • WELLSTAR CANCER NETWORK • 2016 ANNUAL REPORT