Northwestern Medicine physicians are now utilizing a new treatment option for breast cancer that allows women to receive a full dose of radiation therapy during breast conserving surgery, according to a hospital news release.
Traditionally, women who opt to have a lumpectomy must first have surgery then undergo approximately six weeks of radiation. Using a system called IntraBeam, the radiation oncologist is now able to deliver the entire dose of radiation during surgery.
A large international randomized trial confirmed that delivering radiation at the time of lumpectomy was as effective in preventing breast cancer recurrence as whole breast radiation therapy in selected patients. Intraoperative radiation therapy also has the potential for better cosmetic outcomes and fewer side effects. However, only women with early stage breast cancer currently are considered as candidates for intraoperative radiation therapy.
Read the news release about intraoperative radiation therapy.
Read other coverage about OR efficiency:
- UCSD Expert: Address Surgeon Shortages, Patient Transfers to Improve Survival Rates After Motor Vehicle Crashes
- Event-Based Knowledge Can Aid OR Management Decision-Making
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Traditionally, women who opt to have a lumpectomy must first have surgery then undergo approximately six weeks of radiation. Using a system called IntraBeam, the radiation oncologist is now able to deliver the entire dose of radiation during surgery.
A large international randomized trial confirmed that delivering radiation at the time of lumpectomy was as effective in preventing breast cancer recurrence as whole breast radiation therapy in selected patients. Intraoperative radiation therapy also has the potential for better cosmetic outcomes and fewer side effects. However, only women with early stage breast cancer currently are considered as candidates for intraoperative radiation therapy.
Read the news release about intraoperative radiation therapy.
Read other coverage about OR efficiency:
- UCSD Expert: Address Surgeon Shortages, Patient Transfers to Improve Survival Rates After Motor Vehicle Crashes
- Event-Based Knowledge Can Aid OR Management Decision-Making
- Daily Reminders, Logging Arrival Times Improve OR First-Procedure Delays