What is Electron Beam IntraOperative Radiation Therapy (e-IORT)?
Electron Beam IntraOperative Radiation Therapy (e-IORT) is the delivery
of a single fraction of radiation to a tumor or tumor bed during surgery
using a linear accelerator. e-IORT provides specialized treatment for
cancer patients, especially certain women with breast cancer, allowing
physicians to deliver a dose of radiation to appropriate patients during
their surgery. By delivering this radiation at the same time the cancerous
tissue is removed, six to seven weeks of post-operative radiation can
be reduced to one day of treatment in some cases.
Benefits of e-IORT
Benefits of e-IORT for breast cancer patients include lessened treatment
time, reduced radiation exposure, improved cosmetic results, and a faster
return to a normal quality of life. e-IORT allows radiation and surgical
oncologists to visually see the exact area they need to radiate and immediately
deliver a therapeutic dose to the affected area, sparing surrounding healthy
tissue. In the best of cases, this single dose of radiation will be all
certain patients need. For many others, this breakthrough will cut in
half their required course of radiation treatment.
Jupiter Medical Center is one of a handful of facilities around the country
offering this innovative therapy at its world-class
Comprehensive Breast Program, which was the first program in Palm Beach and Martin Counties to receive
the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers designation. The
Comprehensive Breast Care Program, which includes the Margaret W. Niedland
Breast Center for diagnostics and the Kristin Hoke Breast Health Program
for treatment, was recently reaccredited for another three-year term.
While e-IORT is initially being used for the treatment of breast cancer,
Jupiter Medical Center plans to leverage the technology for other gynecological
conditions such as uterine, cervical and ovarian cancer. In the future,
colorectal, lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients will also be candidates
for the technology.