Warenczak-Florczak, Z. et al., “Intraoperative Radiation Therapy as Part of Breast Conserving Therapy of Early Breast Cancer-Results of One-year Follow-up.” (2013)

OVERVIEW

The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of intraoperative radiotherapy, describe the method, and examine the occurrence of side effects and quality of life. 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.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The analysis comprised sixty Tis-T2N0-1A breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery. Patients’ mean age was 57 years (range: 32–73 years). Intraoperative radiation therapy was delivered in the operating theatre during surgery and involved a single dose of 10 Gy with an electron beam of 4, 6, 9 or 12 MeV. After that, all patients were treated with whole breast irradiation. During one year observation photos and side effects examination were made.

RESULTS

Physical and imaging examinations performed during a one-year follow-up revealed no local or distant relapse and good tolerance of IORT. Acute mild responses to the radiothe-rapy occurred in 23.3% of patients. Based on the examination, a good and very good cosmetic effect was found in 78.3%, with 83.3% of patients evaluating their treatment effects in the same way.

CONCLUSION

Physical and imaging examinations performed during a one-year follow-up revealed no local or distant relapse and good tolerance of IORT. Acute mild responses to the radiothe-rapy occurred in 23.3% of patients. Based on the examination, a good and very good cosmetic effect was found in 78.3%, with 83.3% of patients evaluating their treatment effects in the same way.