title: 7-year follow up of intra-operative radiotherapy for early breast cancer in a developing country.
abstract: Scarce radiation resources and an often poor, rural population make single fraction, definitive intra-operative radiation (IORT) ideal for developing countries. From 2002 to 2005 IORT in breast conservation was administered utilizing existing infrastructure in an extremely resource-restricted environment. After tumor excision an applicator was introduced into the tumor bed. An existing Ir (192) after loader delivered a single fraction (21 Gy). Of thirty nine patients treated with 84 months follow-up, one patient suffered local, four regional and three systemic relapse. One patient died of disease, 2 of unrelated causes for a local control rate of 95% and a disease-specific survival of 95%. Cosmetic outcome was perceived excellent. IORT using existing after loaders and a low cost applicator greatly reduced health care resources. This extends breast conservation to indigent patients who cannot adhere to lengthy EBRT protocols.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, P.O. Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa. kbaatjes@sun.ac.za
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Baatjes
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Apffelstaedt
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011788:Quality of Life; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health