Intraoperative radiation therapy is radiation treatment delivered during surgery, directly in the operating room, to the tumor site while it remains exposed. It is typically combined with external beam radiation, chemotherapy and surgery as part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan, and is particularly valuable for locally advanced or recurrent cancers, though it is increasingly used in earlier-stage breast and prostate cancer as well; it has been applied to brain tumors, rectal cancer, skin cancer, retroperitoneal sarcoma, pancreatic cancer and gynecologic malignancies, and offers one of the few remaining options for patients whose cancer has recurred after previous radiation, since repeated full-dose external radiotherapy typically exceeds the tolerance of normal tissue. Regulatory bodies including the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and German cancer guidelines have recommended a specific intraoperative approach, TARGIT with Intrabeam technology, for certain early-stage breast cancers.
Facts
FAQs
Why is intraoperative radiation therapy used for cancer that has come back after earlier radiation?
It delivers radiation directly to the tumor site during surgery when repeating full external radiation is not possible.
Tissue that has already had a full course of external radiation often cannot tolerate a second one. In a study of women whose breast cancer returned in the irradiated breast, the authors noted that normal tissue tolerance does not permit a second full-dose course of radiotherapy to the entire breast. Intraoperative radiation therapy is given during surgery, directly to the exposed tumor site, which is why it is considered an option for such recurrences.
Connections
Treats
Intraoperative radiation therapy is used in early stage breast cancer treatment.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
2. Intraoperative radiation therapy - Wikipedia
Electron IORT
While IORT was first used in clinical practice in 1905
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intraoperative_radiation_therapy, lead section
Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is radiation therapy that is administered during surgery directly in the operating room.
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