Intraoperative radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer treated by breast-conserving therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, cosmetic effects, and clinical efficacy of breast-conserving surgery combined with intraoperative radiation therapy for the treatment of Chinese patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Breast-conserving surgery combined with intraoperative radiation therapy was performed in 64 breast cancer patients. The postoperative short-term efficacy, safety, and cosmetic effects were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 64 patients, 1 case (1.6%) had local recurrence one year later, 7 cases (10.9%) had grade I postoperative radiation-induced lung injury, 10 cases (15.6%) had local hardening at the surgical sites, 8 cases (12.5 %) had changes in skin color, and 8 cases (12.5%) had pain at the surgical sites. Excellent or good levels of cosmetic effects were achieved in 95.3% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The application of intraoperative radiation therapy with breast-conserving surgery can yield satisfactory short-term curative efficacy, a high level of clinical safety, and good cosmetic effects.