Ramaiah Memorial Hospital Launches Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy For Breast Cancer

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital successfully conducted two breast conservation surgeries using Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT). The hospital in a press statement on Monday informed that this advanced technology allows for precise radiation delivery to tumours during surgery, promising enhanced treatment outcomes and improved quality of life for cancer patients.

According to the National Cancer Registry under ICMR-NCDIR, female breast cancer (FBC) is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality in India, accounting for 13.5 per cent of all new cancer cases and 10 per cent of cancer-related deaths. Breast cancer is particularly prevalent in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, representing 25-32 per cent of all female cancers. The projected total cancer burden in India is expected to reach 29.8 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) by 2025.

Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is now one of the few institutes in the country and the only one in Southern India offering three types of radiation therapies: LINAC-TRUEBEAMEDGE, ELEKTA-AGILITY for external radiation therapy, SAGINOVA brachytherapy, and the newly introduced IORT. This technological advancement positions the hospital at the forefront of comprehensive cancer treatment.

Led by Dr. K Harish, Director of Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, and Dr. Kirthi Koushik A S, HOD and Senior Consultant of the Department of Radiation Oncology, the hospital successfully performed IORT on two breast cancer patients. This involved delivering a single dose of radiation directly to the tumor site during surgery, which minimizes radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

In one case, a 55-year-old female diagnosed with Stage IIA left breast cancer received a precise 10 Gy radiation dose during surgery. Similarly, a 49-year-old woman from rural Bengaluru with Stage IIA left breast cancer underwent breast conservation surgery (BCS) with IORT boost radiation. These cases demonstrate the transformative impact of IORT, providing immediate and targeted radiation therapy, enhancing outcomes for early-stage breast cancer patients, and reducing post-operative recovery periods.

IORT offers numerous benefits over traditional radiation therapies, including precise dose delivery to the tumor bed, sparing healthy tissues, and the ability to administer higher doses without increasing normal tissue complications. It also allows for re-irradiation in cases where external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is not possible and significantly reduces treatment time and costs.

Dr. M.R. Jayaram, Chairman of Gokula Education Foundation, expressed pride in the hospital's achievement, highlighting the hospital's commitment to advanced cancer care. M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy, Chief Executive of Gokula Education Foundation, emphasized the advanced technology and clinical excellence at Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences. Dr. SC Nagendra Swamy, President of Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, underscored the commitment to delivering cutting-edge healthcare innovations. Dr. K Harish, Director of Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, and Dr. Kirthi Koushik, HOD & Senior Consultant, praised the collaborative efforts of the expert team in achieving successful IORT surgeries.