What hospitals or centers offer IORT?

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Thatgirl
Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi,



I was wondering what were the requirements for you to have it done or can anyone request it?

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited February 2011

    I believe it's available in most metropolitan areas, but you might have to look around a little to find locations. 

    My understanding is that candidates must be over 40 (preferably over 50), have a low-grade and single-site tumor, and have no lymph node involvement. Tumor must be smaller than 3 cm, and I think it is only performed on ductal cancers (no lobular cancers). There's also some issues with breast size -- if your breasts are extremely small, or if what's left after the lumpectomy is too little, IORT can't be done.

    If you are looking for someone to do IORT, you might search on the names of the devices. They are the Axxent system (made by Xoft), the Intrabeam (made by Zeiss), and the Mobetron (made by Intraop). 

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  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited February 2011

    Thanks cycle path,



    I searched before and only found 2 locations that offered it. They are not in my city and I live in a major city. I called both locations and you have to have appointments before anyone can tell you if you can have that type of treatment. The Mayo clinic has it but does not use it for BC. A few people here have posted that they have had IORT and I was hoping they would chime In.





    Thank you.

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited February 2011

    I spoke to one of the manufacturers of IORT devices today. Their device is in use for breast cancer treatment at the Cleveland Clinic and the Nebraska Medical Center. One of the other devices is available at the Avera McKenna Cancer Center in Sioux Falls, and a third is available at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen, Illinois and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

    Those are some I was able to easily locate in the central part of the US. I'm sure there are many others. 

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  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2011

    Would love to hear feedback from anyone else who choose this method.

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2011

    I am scheduled for a lumpectomy on November 9th.  I have checked and found the only hospital in this area is one in Birmingham, Trinity Medical Center.  I can't believe Nashville, especially with Vanderbilt here, doesn't offer this IORT in the state.  How disappointing.  Guess it's 6 - 7 weeks of rads.

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited October 2011

    Helen, can you get Partial Breast Irradiation (PBI)? That's just a week. 

    You might also consider traveling to Birmingham. Clearly it's not convenient but neither is 6-7 weeks of WBI. And the Birmingham trip would be quick since the procedure is outpatient. 

    The reason IORT is not popular in this country is that the ROs don't make as much money doing it as they make from PBI or especially WBI. It's much more popular in Europe where cost containment is important. It's much less expensive to have IORT than PBI or WBI. Eventually I think the US will figure out that IORT is a better use of our healthcare dollars.

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2011

    Wouldn't IORT have to be done at the time of surgery? 

    PBI was not given to me as an option but I will ask about it.

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited October 2011

    Yes, IORT is done during the surgery. PBI is usually done the week after surgery. 

    When I suggested going to Birmingham, I meant going there for the lumpectomy and IORT. 

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited November 2011

    Thank you for all the answers I received.  As much as I would love to have IORT, it just won't be possible.  Maybe one day it will be in many of the facilities in the United States and more available to all of us.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited November 2011

    What is IORT?

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