Intraoperative Radiotherapy

The most advanced treatment for early stage breast cancer

Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT) is a practical and safe alternative to standard breast radiation therapy.  IORT is administered to the inside of the breast during surgery, immediately after removal of the cancer.  When you awake up from anesthesia, both the breast surgery and radiation therapy are completely done.

IORT is not only more convenient, it is also equally effective at preventing. cancer recurrence.  Since it is administered to the inside of the breast rather than through the skin, IORT also reduces radiation side effects on the skin of the breast skin.

Advantages of Intraoperative Radiotherapy

  • Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT) offers many benefits, including a reduction in possible side-effects, a preservation of healthy breast tissue and a minimal amount of time going back and forth to the hospital.
  • Highly effective – Intraoperative Radiotherapy is equal to standard breast radiation treatments at preventing cancer recurrence within the breast.
    Convenience – Intraoperative Radiotherapy replaces the entire 30 – 40 day course of breast radiotherapy with a single 30 – 40 minute treatment administered at the time of your lumpectomy.
  • Fewer side effects – Choosing Intraoperative Radiotherapy as a treatment option means you’ll have fewer side effects. Radiation therapy can be precisely targeted to your tumor area while health tissues are shielded.

Other benefits include: 

  • Reduced radiation exposure to skin side
  • Reduced radiation exposure to the heart and lungs
  • No radiation-related fatigue
  • Better cosmetic results
  • Faster recovery

How does Intraoperative Radiotherapy work?

IORT is a practical and alternative technique that is done while you’re still in surgery. The radiation dose you need is aimed directly at your exposed tumor area, while surrounding healthy tissue is moved aside and protected. The entire dose of radiation is delivered at one time, with no further need for radiotherapy treatments after surgery.

Intraoperative Radiotherapy

Are you a candidate?

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and your surgeon proposes a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy, then you are likely to be a good a candidate for Intraoperative Radiotherapy.

For information and appointments, please call (213) 742-6400.

For a Physician Referral, call (888) 742-2462 or use our online feature, Find a Doctor.