Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

Intraoperative radiation therapy is a developing technology that is being explored at least 60 centers around the world. lt is nota procedure to be undertaken lightly because of high initial startup costs (shielding, modification/adaptation of machine head, operating table modifications, remote monitoring equipment, etc.). It demands dose cooperation between surgeons, physicists, anesthesiologists, radiotherapists, nurses, and other personnel76. IOPT is not without its complications77. Only recently has the ROTG begun to collect data in a prospective fashion forpatients treated with lORT Much investigative work remains to be done, and, at this time, IORT is a modality best suited for facilities that not only have the technological capacity to embark on such a program, but that also can cooperatively collect meaningful data in a prospective fashion and interpret sarne