Innovative treatment for breast cancer

Patients who have to undergo surgery due to breast cancer will henceforth benefit from an innovative procedure at the Helios Breast Centre Linker Niederrhein, which makes radiation therapy possible during the operation.

"After surgical removal of the tumour, we can irradiate the tumour bed directly and keep sensitive structures out of the irradiation field. This allows a stronger dose to be administered, which combines high effectiveness with low side effects," says Dr. Michael Daum-Marzian, chief physician at the Clinic for Radiotherapy and Radiological Oncology, explaining the advantages of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), which he plans and carries out together with gynecologists. "Close interdisciplinary cooperation is of utmost importance in this procedure."

In the IORT procedure, irradiation is performed using low-energy X-rays. Using special applicators connected to the irradiation device, the radiation is applied with high precision to the area to be irradiated according to a plan previously calculated by medical physicists. For this purpose, a spherical applicator is positioned exactly in the tumour bed after surgical removal of the tumour in the breast.

The dose distribution prescribed by the radiation therapist is adapted to the specific disease situation and shape of the tumor by varying the size of the applicator and the irradiation time. "The entire radiotherapeutic procedure - i.e. placement of the applicator, therapy planning and implementation - is carried out while the patient is still under anesthesia. After the irradiation, which takes about 20 minutes, the applicator is removed and the operation is completed," explains Priv.-Doz. Dr. Stefan Krämer, head physician of the Breast Centre, explains the procedure. "International experience confirms the further improvement of local safety by the IORT procedure. This is a benefit in the treatment of breast cancer patients."

In introducing intraoperative radiotherapy, the Helios Klinikum Krefeld is cooperating with the Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, where the procedure is also offered. "Both hospitals and the patients benefit from our regular exchange," says the experienced expert in gynaecological oncology.