IORT During Lx Seems vs Whole-Breast Rx for Early-Stage

Moderators

Have you been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and will be having lumpectomy followed by radiation? You may be interested in the results of a study strongly suggesting that a single dose of radiation therapy given during lumpectomy surgery offered about the same outcomes for early-stage breast cancer as traditional whole-breast radiation therapy given after surgery.

Read: Intraoperative Radiation Therapy During Lumpectomy Seems as Good as Traditional Whole-Breast Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

nyperr

Are there any risks or side effects from IORT?

nyperr

How long has IORT been used both in the US and worldwide?

Stellawt57

Hypeer, I can only respond to my IORT radiation treatment from October 2018. My diagnosis was Stage IA- <1cm, grade 2 at diagnosis, but ended up Grade 3 after the lumpectomy pathology report. I’m part of a study at my local center, initially all participants had to be 60+ with early stage diagnosis. At each of my follow up appts I ask about the results of the initial 100 women & there hasn’t been a recurrence. The study has been ongoing for 5+ yrs. 2 of the women left the study because of logistics. I haven’t had any concerns. At the time of my lumpectomy & IORT treatment my BS/RO placed a copper plate under my remaining tissue to help protect my heart & lungs due to the higher dose of radiation. Then my PS completed my reconstruction. I had the procedure on a Wednesday, saw my MO on the following Monday & started taking anastrozole/hormone inhibitor, then back to work on Wednesday. I was tender, sensitive, and sore for a few weeks, but no pain.

My center is using IORT with women in their 50’s diagnosed with early stage BC, the grey, unit of radiation is lower than the original study I’m part of. They receive the IORT and then 3 weeks of whole breast radiation versus 6 weeks. I hope my experience helps to clarify some of your questions and concerns.

JoniB

I had IORT during my lumpectomy in March 2016. I was 63 and had stage 1 breast cancer. My insurance carrier at the time considered it experimental - don't know if they still do. The hospital told me that if insurance would not pay, I would only be responsible for $350 which is what happened. With co-insurance these days, I may have ended up spending less money than if insurance covered the procedure! No recurrence to date and no bad side effects from the IORT. I am pleasantly surprised by the findings of this study.

UpstateNYer

nyperr,

I believe IORT has been around for at least 10 years. I think it started over in Europe. Anyway, I had IORT at time of lx in March 2019. I was also supposed to be in a study group. Unfortunately, my margins were not clear twice and I had a high onco score as well, so chemo, 2 additional surgeries and 4 additional weeks of radiation were performed on me. I am doing very well now on anastrozole. Best of luck to you.