Imagine that one of your loved ones has to undergo surgery for cancer. After the surgery, they have to go back to the hospital for days, maybe weeks, to receive radiation therapy. How tiring is that? But you might be surprised to learn that there is a way to do all of this on the same day, at the same time as the surgery. That is the new and very successful treatment method that we are talking about today.
Simply put, what is IORT?
The full meaning of IORT is Intraoperative Radiation Therapy. In Sinhala, it means "radiation treatment given during surgery" . This is a special treatment method for cancer.
What happens is simply this:
Your surgeon will perform surgery to completely remove the tumor. Then, a radiation oncologist will deliver a very targeted dose of radiation to the area where the tumor was, where any cancer cells may still be present.
The main goal of this is to reduce the chance of cancer coming back in the same place after surgery.
What types of cancer is this treatment used for?
Although this IORT treatment method can be used for several types of cancer, it is most commonly used for breast cancer in Sri Lanka, as it is in the world.
In addition, this method is also used for several other types of cancer.
- Skin cancers
- Colon cancers
- Gynecological cancers
- Spine cancers
Who is IORT treatment best suited for?
This is a very important question. IORT treatment is not suitable for all cancer patients. Several factors influence whether this treatment is suitable for someone or not.
- The type of cancer you have
- The size and nature of the cancerous tumor
- Your overall health status
The final decision about this will be made by your surgeon and radiation therapist together, after a thorough examination of your condition. Therefore, it is very important to talk openly with your doctor about this.
What happens during treatment?
On the day of the treatment, you will be given general anesthesia, so you will be asleep during the entire procedure. So you will not feel any pain. Here are the simple steps involved.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Removal of the tumor | The surgeon completely removes the tumor through surgery. |
| 2. Inserting the device | A special device (applicator) designed specifically for delivering radiation is inserted into the empty space where the tumor was removed. |
| 3. Giving radiation | The radiation therapist delivers the prescribed dose of radiation through the device, targeting only the surrounding tissue where the tumor was located. |
| 4. Removing the device | Once the radiation is delivered, the special device is removed. |
| 5. Stitching the wound | Finally, the surgeon stitches the surgical wound closed. |
What are the benefits of IORT treatment?
In traditional radiation therapy, patients have to come to the hospital every day for several weeks for treatment. But with IORT, the entire radiation treatment can be completed in a single session, that is, on the same day as surgery. This is the biggest advantage.
Simply put, it saves you the hassle, time, and expense of having to go to the hospital for weeks.
There are several other advantages:
- Minimum number of treatment sessions: The entire radiation treatment can be completed in a single session.
- Less damage to surrounding healthy tissue: Since radiation is delivered directly to the site of the cancer, radiation exposure to surrounding healthy organs such as the lungs, heart, and skin is minimized.
- Less risk of side effects: For the same reason as above, there is less risk of side effects than with the traditional method.
Difference between conventional radiation therapy (EBRT) and IORT
To clearly understand the main differences between these two methods, see this table .
| Feature | Conventional radiation therapy (EBRT) | IORT treatment |
|---|---|---|
| How to give radiation | A machine outside the body directs radiation beams into the body. | During surgery, a device is inserted into the body and delivers radiation directly to the target area. |
| Treatment time | Treatment should be received daily for several weeks. | The treatment is completed in a single session during surgery. |
| Radiation dose | A low dose of radiation is given daily to protect healthy tissue. | A high dose of radiation can be delivered to only the targeted area at once. |
| Effect on surrounding tissues | Some radiation may also reach healthy tissue around the cancer. | Radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue is minimal. |
When to call the doctor
Serious side effects are usually rare after IORT treatment. However, if you experience any of the following severe or unexpected symptoms , tell your doctor immediately.
- Excessive bleeding from a surgical wound
- Pus-like fluid coming out of the wound
- Fever or feeling cold
Cancer treatment is a physically and mentally demanding journey. Going to the hospital every day and enduring the side effects of treatment can all be stressful. IORT can be a very effective solution that can make this journey easier for some patients.
But as we mentioned earlier, IORT is not for everyone. Your medical team will decide which treatment is best for you, with the least side effects, and will give you the best results. So whether you get IORT or not, be open about your fatigue, stress, and side effects with your doctor. They will be able to provide you with the support you need.
Take-Home Message
- IORT is a method of administering radiation therapy at the same time as cancer surgery.
- The biggest advantage of this is that weeks of radiation treatment can be completed in a single day, in a single session.
- Because radiation is delivered directly to the target area, there is less damage and side effects to surrounding healthy tissue.
- This treatment is not suitable for all cancer patients. The final decision about this will be made by your medical team.
- If you want to learn more about this treatment or if it's right for you, talk to your doctor.
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