Breast intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)

What is Breast IORT?

Breast intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT, is an advanced, patient-friendly radiation treatment option. With IORT, a complete, concentrated dose of radiation is delivered in one treatment during surgery. Traditional external beam radiation therapy involves daily radiation treatments for six to eight weeks, while IORT with the Xoft System can be completed in minutes, eliminating weeks of travel, disruption to your daily life, and emotional stress.

If you have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, you may have the option of completing both cancer surgery and radiation treatment at the same time with targeted, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT).

What are the benefits of IORT?

Studies of early-stage breast cancer treatment have shown that performing a lumpectomy by removing the cancerous tissue and a small rim of tissue surrounding it, plus radiation therapy, provides women the same survival outcomes as a total breast removal or mastectomy. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the detection and treatment of breast cancer. IORT offers patients a less-invasive, breast-conserving option with valuable benefits including:

  • Targeted treatment
  • Fewer side effects
  • Reduced costs
  • Increased convenience
  • Improved quality of life

How does IORT treat breast cancer?

IORT uses a miniaturized x-ray source to deliver a full course of targeted radiation from inside the body, directly within the tumor cavity where the cancer is most likely to recur, carefully destroying cancer cells and reducing the risk of damage to nearby healthy tissue including the heart, lungs, and ribs. This helps minimize potential side effects which are more common with whole breast irradiation.

A discussion with your surgeon about breast IORT, as well as other treatment options, is necessary to determine if you are a candidate. A growing body of favorable clinical data supports the use of IORT in patients meeting specific selection criteria. A peer-reviewed study has shown a single-fraction radiation treatment delivered at the time of breast-conserving surgery results in similar recurrence rates when compared to EBRT.


For more information regarding IORT or to schedule a consultation to see if you are a candidate, contact:

The Women’s Center at Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center
6501 Truxtun Avenue  
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(p) (661) 322-2206