IORT (intraoperative radiation therapy)

Poombatz

Hello and thank you in advance for any advice! I am scheduled for surgery March 1, 2017 and have the opportunity for IORT. Has anyone experienced this I'm having a hard time finding any blogs or anything at all from actual patients.

SpecialK

If you type IORT into the keyword portion of the search box at the left of the screen you will find some members here who have had IORT.

JoniB

I did. Feel free to message me with any questions.

radgal

Dear Poombatz,

I had a lumpectomy and IORT and am so grateful I did.

After my surgeon did the lumpectomy, the radiation oncologist applied radiation directly to the tumor bed for 20 minutes during surgery. Once my surgery was complete, my treatment was done. No external radiation needed, no skin radiation and such.

My scar is barely visible and both breasts are relatively symmetric in size.

My surgeon's name is Dennis Holmes, MD and he has a lot of information about IORT on his website here:

http://drholmesmd.com/

radgal

Here are IORT posts from this breastcancer.org website. Just copy the link below and paste it into your address bar:

https://community.breastcancer.org/posts/search?utf8=✓&search_builder[keyword]=iort&search_builder[author]=&search_builder[source]=&search_builder[date_range]=&commit=Search

Poombatz

Thank you!

Poombatz

Thank you Radgal, your reply is precisely what I am looking for, you had lymph nodes as well? My dilemma is possible spreading to lymph nodes and having IORT will result in external radiation as well. Plus the cost as Blue Cross won't cover.

radgal

Blue Shield covered my surgery and IORT.

One advantage of seeing someone like Holmes is that they knew how to handle the insurance.

I did have three lymph nodes removed.

I would encourage you to contact Holmes office regarding insurance as perhaps his office can help answer some questions.

Poombatz

Went through the surgery with reduction/lift and decided on the IORT all went well. It appears that Blue Cross through the ACA has covered the radiation Oncologist fees including IORT, will find out soon enough!