INTRAOPERATIVE RADIOTHERAPY (RADIATION THERAPY DURING SURGERY)

Radiotherapy Administered in the Operating Room During Breast Cancer Surgery Is Called Intraoperative Radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy administered in the operating room during breast cancer surgery is called intraoperative radiotherapy. Single-dose radiotherapy is still administered using devices called linear accelerators. However, this linear accelerator is a portable, mobile device that generates only electron energy and, unlike traditional linear accelerators, does not require as much personnel protection. It is administered in the operating room with a secure, portable device. The surgical team, radiation oncologist, and medical physicist are all involved during the surgery. This provides a significant advantage for the patient: the postoperative waiting period for wound healing, planning, and the hassle of daily travel to and from the treatment center. In short, radiation therapy is completed in one go during the surgery. After the tumor is removed, a special applicator is placed on the tumor site. Following the necessary measurements, a high-dose beam is delivered to the tumor site, completely sparing healthy tissue. A single-dose application during surgery, or irradiating only the tumor area rather than the entire breast using different methods, has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. However, a single-dose application is not suitable for every patient. A team of radiologist, radiation oncologist, surgeon, and pathologist directly involved in breast cancer determines which patients are suitable for this procedure. Factors such as the patient's age and the pathological characteristics of the tumor play a role in this decision.