Advancing on Cancer: Intraoperative radiation therapy now available at St. Luke’s – Cedar Rapids

St. Luke’s now provides 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 …”

“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.”

Studies show IORT offers low recurrence rates because it treats the precise area where most breast cancers recur.”

St. Luke’s College celebrates record enrollment
St. Luke’s College in Sioux City welcomed a record 213 students to campus for the start of the fall 2012 semester.

“We are excited to welcome so many new faces to campus. Such progress in enrollment would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of the College’s team of professional and highly experienced faculty and staff,” says Dr. Richard Ayi, Chief Academic Officer of the College.

Approximately 80 percent of the students attending St. Luke’s College come from Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota with the remainder coming from across the nation including California, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina and Washington, as well as international students from Canada.

The record breaking class began the 2012-13 academic year in completely renovated space located on the St. Luke’s campus. Students benefit from smart classrooms and high tech practice labs.

“This new space will greatly enhance student learning and offer St. Luke’s College students the opportunity to practice their skills in a setting that imitates actual patient care,” says Ayi.