New Cancer Procedure Eliminates Need For Repeated Radiation Treatments

http://media.boston.cbslocal.com/CBSBOS_0303201517390300000AA.mp4 PEABODY (CBS) – “It was easy. It was simple. It was non-invasive, and I had my life.” Lynn Moriarty of Melrose is talking about her experience with radiation after she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer last October. Usually a patient has to return every day for three to six weeks, but Lynn had other things she wanted to do. So Lynn’s doctors at Lahey Medical Center Peabody offered her IORT or intraoperative radiation therapy. The patient is brought into the operating room. The surgeon removes the tumor and then a sphere on the radiation unit is inserted directly into the surgical cavity where radiation is administered for 30-40 minutes. If all goes well, the patient is done. No more radiation. Plus, it allows doctors to focus the radiation only where it’s needed and not to surrounding skin and tissue which can be painful and can cause long-term side effects to the heart and lungs. And for women who live far away, daily radiation may not be an option. “I really do see this as a huge advance for women on multiple fronts,” says Dr. Andrea McKee, a radiation oncologist at Lahey. “From the convenience aspect to the improved health outcomes on a long-term basis to the access issues.” Depending on what the surgeon finds, about 15-20% of women may need additional radiation, but for Lynn, she was finished in the O.R. and couldn’t be happier. “The procedure ...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Watch Listen Breast Cancer Dr. Mallika Marshall intraoperative radiation therapy Lahey Medical Center radiation c Source Type: news