First Intraoperative Radiation Therapy Center in Africa: First 2 Years in Operation, Including COVID-19 Experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

There is a shortage of radiation therapy service centers in low- to middle-income countries. TARGIT-intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) may offer a viable alternative to improve radiation treatment efficiency and alleviate hospital patient loads. The Breast Care Unit in Johannesburg became the first facility in Africa to offer TARGIT-IORT, and the purpose of this study was to present a retrospective review of patients receiving IORT at this center between November 2017 and May 2020.

Patients and methods

Patient selection criteria were based mainly on the latest American Society of Radiation Oncology guidelines. Selection criteria included early-stage breast carcinoma (luminal A) and luminal B with negative upfront sentinel lymph node biopsy that negated external-

SUBMITTER: Ramdas Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7713533 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature