For patients whose breast cancer returns after previous radiation, mastectomy has long been considered the standard path forward. In a study published in Frontiers in Oncology, Dr. Jadeja and colleagues at Columbia University Medical Center examined an alternative: breast-conserving surgery paired with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), which delivers a single, targeted radiation dose directly to the surgical site during the procedure itself.
The approach allowed patients to avoid a second full course of radiation while still achieving effective local cancer control, though the team noted the importance of continued monitoring given the potential for delayed skin and tissue changes. The findings support breast-conserving surgery with IORT as a reasonable, less invasive option for select patients facing recurrence after prior radiation.
Read the study in Frontiers in Oncology.