IntraOperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)

If you receive an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis and would like to conserve your breast, electron-based intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is a proven option for you.

Innovative Breast Cancer Treatment Close to Home

Avera’s expert radiation oncologists and breast cancer surgeons provide this leading-edge treatment at Avera Cancer Institute Sioux Falls.

IORT targets the tumor with a high dose of radiation during lumpectomy surgery. After removing the tumor and some of the surrounding breast tissue, a radiation oncologist will direct radiation to the area where the tumor was located.

Benefit from Advanced Treatment

The precision and strength of IORT treatment (requirements and benefits) reduces the need for additional radiation therapy after surgery . In fact, depending on your age, you may only need the one radiation dose at the time of surgery. You’ll save time by not having to drive to and from daily sessions and experience benefits, such as:

• Immediate results – With IORT, a high dose of electron-based radiation is delivered in 1-2 minutes during surgery. This immediate treatment of tumor site helps kill cancer cells before they can spread.
• Fewer treatments – Typically, a lumpectomy is accompanied by six to seven weeks of daily radiation treatments after surgery. However, depending on the type and size of the tumor, as well as your age, you could be offered 3 weeks of treatment or just one treatment given the day of surgery. This means you can start feeling like yourself again sooner.
• Fewer side effects – Direct treatment to the tumor site means less damage to healthy tissue. Clinical trials using IORT in early stage breast cancer patients indicate a reduction in skin toxicity.