A Novel Mobile Device for Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT)

Abstract

Introduction: In many clinical situations, the radiation dose which can be safely delivered to the tumour is limited by normal tissues in close proximity to the tumour volume. On the other hand, the likelihood of obtaining local control improves with increasing irradiation doses. If microscopical residual disease persists after gross tumour resection, the external beam radiotherapy doses necessary to achieve local control are higher than 60 Gy in 1.8–2 Gy fractions. Dose requirements would even be higher if gross residual disease remains after maximal resection, but with dose requirements >60 Gy the radiation tolerance of numerous organs and structures would be exceeded. Single high radiation doses can also be given by intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). First experiences with IORT before or after combined external beam radiotherapy were gained during the 1960ies in Japan and the 1970ies in the United States, as a preferred treatment alternative for patients with locally advanced malignancies. This treatment method is now used in specialised centres for gastrointestinal tumour entities and sarcomas [1–3]. ...