Breast brachytherapy using the Xoft® System is a form of electronic brachytherapy (eBx®) designed to simplify radiation treatment for early stage breast cancer patients using Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) or Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI).
IORT
IORT is a form of brachytherapy where radiation is delivered within the surgical cavity. Breast IORT is a radiation treatment delivered as a single radiation dose at the time of breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy). During IORT, a balloon and miniature x-ray source are temporarily placed inside the surgical cavity to deliver prescribed, targeted radiation directly to the site where cancer is most likely to reoccur.
IORT
Is IORT Right for Me?
IORT is not right for everyone. A discussion with your surgeon about Breast IORT, as well as other treatment options, is necessary to determine if you are a candidate. Some of the advantages of IORT for early stage breast cancer are:
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy at the time of surgery avoids the need for 6 to 7 weeks of post-operative External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT). For you, this means less travel, fewer days off work, fewer appointments, and less emotional stress.
Radiotherapy is delivered directly to the tumor bed, the part of the breast at highest risk of recurrence. If reconstruction is a consideration it can be completed during your surgery.
Less radiation is delivered to surrounding healthy organs and tissue. This minimizes exposure to adjacent healthy tissue and organs, such as the ribs, lungs, and heart.
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) is another form of electronic brachytherapy that delivers radiation directly to the tumor bed, the part of the breast at highest risk for recurrence. Similar to conventional external radiation treatment, APBI is used as follow-up treatment to surgery. While conventional external beam radiation treatment requires five to seven weeks of daily treatment, APBI offers radiation in just ten treatments over the course of five days.
See patient brochure for a step-by-step treatment guide and additional important information.
