title: Exclusive electron intraoperative radiotherapy in early-stage breast cancer: a monoinstitutional experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) in breast cancer in terms of local control, esthetic results and disease-free survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2007 to October 2011, 110 patients with early-stage breast cancer were submitted to quadrantectomy and IORT. A total dose of 21 Gy prescribed at 90-100% isodose was delivered in all cases. Patients were evaluated after surgery for early and late complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median follow-up was 27 (range: 2-54) months. In 10 patients (9.1%), breast ultrasound showed liponecrosis. Six patients (5.5%) developed grade 2 fibrosis. Disease-free survival rates at 2 and 3 years were 96.8% and 92.9 %. Three patients (2.7%) developed local recurrence, two patients (1.8%) distant metastasis. Two patients died. The 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 100% and 97.3%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IORT could be an appropriate therapeutic alternative in selected patients although it remains investigational; longer follow-up to confirm these results is required.
authors.affiliation: Sant'Andrea Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Mattia Falchetto
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Osti
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carnevale
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bracci
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amanti
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: Vitaliana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: DE Sanctis
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valeriani
authors.forename: Riccardo Maurizi
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Enrici
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004583:Electrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate