New Technology Allows Single Dose of Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients

By Craig Taylor

March 17, 2010

A technology that is widely used in Europe is now available in the U.S.

The intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT Novac7, allows patients to receive one dose of radiation during surgery, as opposed to multiple radiation treatments over several weeks.

After his mother passed away from breast cancer, Dr. Pablo Lavagnini, director of radiation oncology at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), began a crusade to bring the world’s best cancer-fighting options to patients.

Since the Novac7 arrived in the U.S., Dr. Lavagnini’s only sister was also diagnosed with breast cancer. She traveled from her home in Uruguay to seek a second opinion from her brother, and coincidently became the first patient in the U.S. to receive IORT with the Novac7 last week.

“It is as if my life’s work was leading up to this day,” said Dr. Lavagnini. “I never expected my sister to be my patient, but I am thankful that she was among the many women who will benefit from this technology, which is very different from the treatment that our mother received many years ago.”

Other patients like Jackie Stevens, who traveled to CTCA from Virginia Beach, Va., received treatment last Wednesday. “As soon as my doctors told me that I could get my radiation at the same time as my lumpectomy, I thought ‘Wow! What a blessing,’” said Stevens.

It is expected that patients with breast cancer who undergo tumor removal surgery will benefit from IORT the most, but CTCA also believes that this valuable tool could also help patients battling other types of cancer including stomach, pancreatic, rectal and prostate.

CTCA has set up a patient hotline for those who are interested in learning more about IORT treatment. They can be reached at 1-888-353-7687.