{"id":3071,"date":"2025-11-13T06:16:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T06:16:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/blog\/?p=3071"},"modified":"2025-11-17T23:16:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T23:16:47","slug":"intraoperative-radiation-therapy-a-personalized-approach-to-breast-cancer-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/blog\/breast\/intraoperative-radiation-therapy-a-personalized-approach-to-breast-cancer-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Intraoperative Radiation Therapy: A Personalized Approach to Breast Cancer Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Breast Surgical Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist at Providence, Saint John’s Health Center Discuss Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Candidates<\/h2>\n

News often travels quickly—especially when major media outlets take on complex medical topics without consulting the experts who work with these treatments every day. At Saint John’s Health Center, our radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists work together to provide clarity on one such innovation: Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) and its growing role in treating breast cancer. When recommending IORT to the right patient, it works exceptionally well. The key is thoughtful, individualized selection. <\/p>\n

“First select the correct patient for it and then after have a thorough discussion so that they know the risk and benefits of different approaches of radiation.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

– April Vassantachart, MD. <\/p>\n

When Is Intraoperative Radiation Therapy Recommended?<\/h3>\n

IORT is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Patients must meet specific criteria for it to be both safe and effective. When IORT is not suitable, External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT), and other alternative radiation options may be recommended. <\/p>\n

At Saint John’s, each case is carefully reviewed by a multidisciplinary team—including radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and other specialists—who work together to determine the best approach and the appropriate radiation dosage for each patient. <\/p>\n

What Is Intraoperative Radiation Therapy?<\/h3>\n

IORT is a specialized technique that delivers a single, concentrated dose of radiation directly to the area where the tumor was removed—during surgery, immediately after the tumor has been excised. This targeted approach treats the tissue most at risk while protecting surrounding healthy structures. <\/p>\n

Who May Benefit from IORT?<\/h3>\n

IORT is typically considered for<\/strong>: <\/p>\n