Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
Merit Health Woman's Hospital is the first in Mississippi to offer breast intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). This advanced procedure allows some patients with certain early-stage breast cancer to receive a single-dose of radiation at the same time as a lumpectomy and can remove up to six weeks of radiation treatments.
IORT provides a necessary treatment for breast cancer while eliminating the need for additional visits to the office. Studies show that there is often no difference in survival post-procedure compared to the standard radiation schedule, and that it can actually reduce the chance of death from additional cancers or heart disease.
When IORT is a treatment option, the surgeon removes the breast cancer and preserves the remaining breast tissue. Radiation therapy is then delivered directly into the surgery site, targeting cancerous tumors while they are exposed. Once radiation therapy is delivered, the surgeon completes the operation.
IORT benefits can include:
- One-day treatment, eliminating multiple return trips
- Entire radiation dose delivered during surgery
- Targeted treatment
- Reduced dose to surrounding healthy tissue and essential organs such as the heart and lungs
IORT is for patients who meet certain criteria, including age and circumstances surrounding the cancer location and size. Please consult your physician to find out if you would be a candidate.