INTRABEAM Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT)
INTRABEAM Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT) is internal radiation therapy performed during surgery after removal of the tumor. Before the surgeon closes the incision, the radiation oncologist positions the INTRABEAM applicator tip in the area of the breast where the tumor was located. INTRABEAM radiation is applied for 20-30 minutes treating the affected tissue in the tumor bed from the inside the tumor cavity. The surgeon then closes the incision.
IORT Procedure
Step 1: INTRABEAM IORT is delivered during the lumpectomy procedure, immediately following tumor removal.
Step 2: After the surgeon has removed the tumor, the radiation oncologist positions the INTRABEAM applicator in the area of the breast where the tumor was located.
Step 3: Low energy radiation is delivered locally to the targeted tissue in the tumor bed, minimizing healthy tissue exposure to radiation.
Step 4: After 20-30 minutes of radiotherapy, the applicator is
removed and the surgeon then closes the incision.
Intra-operative radiotherapy using the INTRABEAM System differs from traditional external post-surgical radiation treatment systems by treating the tumor bed from within, ensuring radiation delivery accuracy.
The INTRABEAM System is currently under clinical evaluation as the only device which can be administered as a single, definitive dose of internal radiation following BCS. This method is not used as a replacement for WBRT, but as a viable treatment option for patients meeting specific treatment conditions. Your doctor will advise you as to which treatment options are available, depending on the type and stage of your condition.