Intraoperative Radiotherapy

About the Lecture

Radiation therapy is the use of x-rays,gamma rays, electrons, etc. to treat rauidly dividing malignant and non-malignant tumors. The radiation in the form of atomic particles or energy waves are directed at the cancerous cells and ionizes atoms or molecules in the cells. These ionizations damage or kill the cancer cells. Intraoperative radiotherapy uses electrons to produce ionizations in cancer cells. Its attraction lies in the direct irradiation of the surgically exposed tumor. This "direct attack" radiation therapy technique permits; (1) accurate beam direction, (2) precise limitation of the radiation effect to the tumor, and (3) the possibility to physically displace sensitive organs like the skin, the intestines, and nerves outside the radiation beam. This presentation will discuss the past, present, and future of the intraoperative radiotherapy.