Is current clinical practice modified about intraoperative breast irradiation?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy
• Breast Cancer Treatment

Background:

• Randomized trials like ELIOT and TARGIT-A have spurred debate on intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) versus whole breast irradiation (WBI).
• Many centers now use IORT with strict criteria from ASTRO and GEC-ESTRO, monitoring outcomes and toxicity.
• Breast conserving treatment is a key area of focus in breast cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical experience of Geneva University Hospital with the Intrabeam system for IORT.
• To compare the hospital's IORT outcomes with existing evidence.
• To assess the oncological outcome and radiation toxicity associated with IORT.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical data from Geneva University Hospital's IORT cases using the Intrabeam system.
• Comparison of institutional experience with published data from major trials (ELIOT, TARGIT-A) and guidelines (ASTRO, GEC-ESTRO).
• Evaluation of oncological outcomes and breast tissue radiation toxicity.

Main Results:

• Data on the oncological outcomes of IORT at Geneva University Hospital.
• Assessment of radiation toxicity observed in patients treated with IORT.
• Comparative analysis of IORT effectiveness and safety against WBI.

Conclusions:

• IORT, particularly with systems like Intrabeam, is a viable option when applied under strict selection criteria.
• Clinical experience supports the oncological safety and manageable toxicity of IORT.
• Further long-term data collection is essential for refining IORT protocols in breast conservative treatment.