| Well Dems Travel Agency
Single-Dose Radiotherapy During Surgery
Well Dems Travel Agency offers an innovative method by providing single-dose radiotherapy (IORT) during breast cancer surgeries, eliminating the need for postoperative radiation therapy. Additional doses of radiotherapy can be applied if deemed necessary.
What is Single-Dose Radiotherapy?
Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) allows breast cancer patients to receive a single dose of radiation during surgery. After the tumor is surgically removed, a special applicator is placed in the tumor bed, and a high dose of radiation is delivered exclusively to that area. This completes all local treatments and protects healthy tissues.
How is Traditional Radiotherapy Applied?
Radiation therapy is performed in the Radiation Oncology departments of hospitals, using linear accelerators that produce photons and electrons in specially shielded rooms. Almost all breast cancer cases require radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery (where the tumor is removed but the rest of the breast is preserved).
For patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy typically begins after chemotherapy. For those receiving only hormone therapy, it is applied at least three weeks after surgery. CT scans with 2 mm increments are used for radiotherapy planning. Radiation is delivered to the risk areas in the breast, sparing the heart, major arteries, lungs, and the unaffected breast. After the approved plan, the patient receives radiation therapy for 5-7 weeks. Some patients may receive short-term treatment (hypofractionation) over three weeks.
Advantages of Single-Dose Application
The single-dose application performed with the IORT device offers significant advantages for patients by completing radiation therapy during surgery. This method eliminates the need to wait for postoperative wound healing, plan radiotherapy, or visit the hospital daily for treatment. As a result, the overall treatment time is significantly reduced.
After the tumor is removed during surgery, a special applicator within the device is placed in the area where the tumor was located, and a high dose of radiation is delivered exclusively to that area, sparing healthy tissue. The single-dose application may not be suitable for every patient. This decision is made by the radiation oncologist, surgeon, and pathologist involved with the patient. The patient's age, tumor size, and other pathological features are important factors in this decision.
Who Can Receive Radiation Boost?
Patients under the age of 50-60 are generally not considered ideal candidates for single-dose application. For these patients, radiation is applied to the entire breast using traditional methods, followed by a radiation boost to the tumor bed. After the whole breast treatment is completed (25-28 business days), the area where the tumor was removed receives an additional 5-8 business days of radiation. This process is called a radiation boost.
Applying Radiotherapy to the Nipple-Areola Complex
Breast-conserving surgery may not be suitable for some patients. If the entire breast needs to be removed, the nipple and surrounding area can be preserved. This procedure is called nipple-sparing mastectomy. To reduce the risk of recurrence, a single dose of radiation is applied to the nipple and underlying tissue using the IORT method.
Well Dems Travel Agency offers comfort and effectiveness in breast cancer treatment with single-dose radiotherapy during surgery. We are here to protect your health with our innovative technologies.