IORT


WHAT IS IORT?

IORT stands for IntraOperative RadioTherapy and TARGIT stands for TARGeted IntraOperative RadioTherapy. IORT is a technique of delivering radiotherapy directly to the tissues surrounding a cancer (also known as the tumour bed) after its surgical removal.

University Malaya Medical Centre acquired an IORT system called Intrabeam (Carl Zeiss®, Germany) in 2015. We are privileged to be able to offer this state-of-art technique to our patients. Your doctor will discuss about the if you are suitable for this treatment.


WHY TARGIT IORT ?

Many women with early breast cancer would require radiotherapy after surgery. This is usually delivered using External Beam RadioTherapy (EBRT). Treatment is started a few weeks after surgery or chemotherapy. It is given on a daily basis over 3-5 weeks. The whole breast tissue is usually treated in this technique.

TARGIT IORT delivers the radiotherapy directly to the breast tissue in a single treatment during surgery itself. Several studies in breast cancer have confirmed its benefit in patients with low risk disease. Studies are ongoing to confirm its role in patients with higher risk disease.


HOW IS TARGIT IORT DONE?

The equipment used to deliver IORT is called Intrabeam®. It produces low energy X-ray radiation. Due to the low energy X-ray used, IORT for breast cancer can be given during surgery.

TARGIT IORT is delivered by a team of medical professionals. It usually involves the surgeons, oncologists, medical physicists, anaesthetists and nurses. The surgeons will remove the breast tumour in the usual manner. This creates a space in the breast called tumour cavity. A spherical applicator which is used to deliver the radiation is then placed into the tumour cavity. Radio-therapy is delivered over 20-50 minutes by oncologists and medical physicists. Once treatment is completed, the applicator is removed from the tumour cavity. The surgeons will inspect the wound site with absorbable stitches.


STEPS INVOLVED IN IORT

 


STEP 1
Tumor cavity is created in the breast


STEP 2
The spherical applicator is placed into the tumor cavity


STEP 3
Low energy radiation is delivered over 20-50 minutes


STEP 4
Applicator is removed after radiation and the wound is closed


WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
  1. It allows direct radiation to the affected area therefore reducing some of the treatment side effects.
  2. It avoids the gap between surgery and external beam breast radiotherapy. As it is given during surgery. This may prove treatment efficacy.
  3. IORT is given as a single dose, while EBRT is given on a daily basis for a 3-5 weeks after surgery. Therefore the IORT treatment time is shorter and avoids prolonged daily visits to hospital.
  4. Some patients will require IORT as the sole radiation treatment while other s may also need EBRT in addition to IORT. If EBRT is required , it is delivered after surgery and the total duration is limited to 3 weeks only as opposed to full EBRT course which involved approximately 5 weeks of therapy. Therefore , patients is as good as EBRT in reducing risk of caner recurrence.
  5. Several studies have confirmed that TARGIT IORT is as good as EBRT in suitable patients.
  6. A study showed that IORT alone may provide better cosmetic outcomes compared to EBRT.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?
  1. Redness and soreness of the skin
  2. Tiredness
  3. Possible effect on wound healing (firmness of the scar)
  4. Serious wound complications are rare
  5. Possible effect on wound healing (firmness of the scar)
  6. Serious wound complications are rare


Is TARGIT IORT suitable for me?

The decision whether IORT is suitable for you will be decided by your team of doctors based on various factors. This will be discussed and explained to you.


EBRT






The spherical applicators of various sizes to match the size of the tumour cavity

ADDRESS

  • Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya,
    Lembah Pantai, 59100,
    Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

EMAIL

  • Email : ummc@ummc.edu.my

TEL

  • Phone No : 03-79494422
    Fax : 03-79492030

WEBSITE

  • WEBSITE : www.ummc.edu.my