Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

St John of God Subiaco Hospital is the only private hospital in Australia offering Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT), a rapid radiation treatment for breast cancer.

Suitable for select women with early breast cancer, IORT reduces treatment time from three to seven weeks of daily radiation to a single, targeted treatment that is administered while a patient is undergoing surgery to remove the cancer.

After a patient’s tumor is removed by a surgeon, and before the incision is closed, radiation is strategically delivered to the area where the tumor was located by a radiation oncologist for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

This provides a precise therapeutic dose in the location where local recurrence is most likely to occur.

Watch the Seven News story to learn more.

Some of the significant patient benefits of IORT:

By dramatically reducing treatment time and minimising side effects, patients can spend more time focusing on their recovery and can resume daily activities sooner
IORT offers convenience to women who work full-time, and to rural patients who have traditionally had to arrange and pay for accommodation for extended periods of time when coming to Perth to receive treatment
Radiation targets tissue in the tumor bed from the inside, minimising exposure to healthy tissue and organs

Step 1: The position of the tumour is determined.

Step 2: During surgery a minimally invasive access point is created.

Step 3: The tumour is surgically removed.

Step 4: The correct size of the applicator is determined and the applicator is positioned in the tumour bed.

Step 5: The tumour bed is locally irradiated for about 30 minutes.

Step 6: The applicator is removed and the incision closed.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Breast Surgeons currently accredited in the use of IORT are:

For a referral to any of the specialist surgeons listed above please speak with your GP.

Radiation is administered by GenesisCare Radiation Oncologists.

For more information about IORT or a referral to our specialists who deliver this treatment, please speak with your general practitioner.

For more information about our cancer services please visit Cancer care.