As per the National Cancer Registry under ICMR-NCDIR, female breast cancer (FBC) is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality in India and accounted for 13.5% of all new cancer cases and 10% of all cancer related deaths. In fact, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in India and accounts for 25-32% of all female cancers in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. The projected total cancer burden in India is expected to reach 29.8 mn DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years)
in 2025.
- Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is a leading facility for cancer diagnosis and treatment in South India. It stands out as amongst the very few institutes in the country and probably the only one in Southern India that currently offers three types of radiation therapies – LINAC-TRUEBEAMEDGE and ELEKTA-AGILITY for external radiation therapy, and SAGINOVA brachytherapy, and IORT
Bengaluru, India, 16 May, 2024 –
In a monumental stride towards advancing healthcare in India, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, one of Karnataka’s leading multi-super-specialty hospitals, today announced a major feat in cancer care by successfully conducting two breast conservation cancer surgeries and using Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) with an IORT X-Ray Device that delivers precision Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) to tumors and tumor bed following surgical resection in a single sitting.
IORT as a radiation therapy aids in replacing multiple weeks of post-surgery traditional radiation therapy. IORT is administered in a single dose directly at the tumor site – and given at the same time as the surgery after excision of the tumor and before wound closure.
Unlike traditional radiation therapy, which is delivered after a patient has recovered from surgery, IORT as a procedure involves delivering radiation to the tumor bed while the area is exposed during surgery. This helps in minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. IORT is also helpful in treating cancers that are difficult to remove during surgery and when there is a concern that minimal amounts of unseen cancer might still remain post-surgical excision of a tumor.
Led by Dr. K Harish, Director, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences and Dr. Kirthi Koushik A S, HOD and Senior Consultant – Department of Radiation Oncology, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences under Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, the surgical and radiation team performed breast conservation surgery and IORT procedures on two breast cancer patients. In these two cases, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital demonstrated the transformative impact of IORT. A 55-year-old female diagnosed with Carcinoma Breast Stage IIA left breast cancer, underwent surgery followed by intraoperative radiation therapy by employing the innovative IORT X-Ray Therapy machine, wherein a boost dose of 10 Gy in five fractions was precisely delivered to the lumpectomy cavity during surgery, ensuring targeted radiation treatment. Similarly, another patient, a 49-year-old lady from rural Bengaluru diagnosed with Stage IIA left breast cancer, received BCS with IORT boost radiation to the lumpectomy cavity. Both cases underscore the significance of IORT in providing immediate and accurate radiation therapy during surgery, potentially enhancing outcomes for early-stage breast cancer patients while minimizing post-operative recovery periods.
Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy has several benefits over other radiation therapies.
- Precise dose delivery: IORT allows for precise localization of the tumor bed and the ability to shield normal tissues.
- Re-irradiation: IORT can be used for re-irradiation, especially in cases where EBRT may not be possible.
- Therapeutic ratio: IORT can deliver higher doses of radiation without increasing normal tissue complications.
- Sparing of normal tissues: IORT spares normal tissues, such as the heart and lungs, and nearby organs receive less exposure to radiation than in traditional radiation therapy.
- Improved quality of life: IORT can improve quality of life.
- Patient convenience: IORT is convenient for patients.
- Lower costs: IORT costs significantly less than external beam radiotherapy.
- Saves time: IORT saves time because the entire therapeutic dose of breast radiation is given immediately at the time of lumpectomy.
- Fewer treatment sessions: IORT offers fewer treatment sessions.
- Less damage to surrounding tissues: IORT offers less damage to surrounding tissues.
- Lower risk of side effects: IORT offers a lower risk of side effects, including rashes and skin irritation, than are commonly experienced during traditional radiation therapy.
IORT is used in a wide variety of sites such as breast cancers, locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer, retroperitoneal sarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas, pancreatic cancer, gynecological cancers, and genito-urinary cancers.
Dr M.R. Jayaram, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation & Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) stated as he expressed his happiness, “It is indeed a moment of pride for Ramaiah Memorial Hospital that our clinical experts have achieved such a marvelous feat in cancer care. With cancer cases on the rise, I am sure that our skilled teams of experts will provide the best treatment to every patient and ensure an excellent continuum of care.”
M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy, Chief Executive, Gokula Education Foundation & Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) shared his delight on the advanced technology and clinical excellence that Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences offers to its patients, “It is indeed a significant achievement for Ramaiah to have all the advanced devices required for Radiation Oncology, which has definitely set us apart. With such skilled doctors, technicians and nursing team, I am hopeful that we will continue to make more breakthroughs in cancer care and ensure better patient outcomes.”
Dr SC Nagendra Swamy, President, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital expressed his enthusiasm on the new technology, “We are thrilled to introduce Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) X-Ray device at our facility. IORT improves quality of cancer treatment with unprecedented precision and comfort, solidifying our commitment to delivering cutting-edge healthcare innovations that truly redefine the future of medicine. Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, a Centre of Clinical Excellence within Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, provides a variety of facilities to achieve individualized and holistic care to each patient. We have a spectrum of experienced specialists in different branches of the oncology field like radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, hemato-oncology, bone marrow transplantation and nuclear medicine. This specialised expertise and the presence of a multidisciplinary tumor board ensures precision treatment and best clinical outcomes.”
Dr K Harish, Director – Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital further added, “It is important that in cancer treatment, we, as specialists in this field, ensure that no amount of cancer cells in the tumor bed are left behind to avoid any incidences of recurrence. Not only IORT but our Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences is equipped with the best of the technologically advanced treatment devices, highly skilled and trained oncosciences physicians and surgeons with multitude of experience in treating the most complex cancer cases with excellent patient outcomes over the years. We look forward to achieving many more such feats in near future.”
Dr Madan Gaekwad, Chief Operating Officer, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, shared, “For any healthcare institute to provide an optimal level of care to every patient, it is important to be equipped with the finest clinical team along with the best-in-class facility and advanced technologies. We, at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, are delighted to have all the advanced technologies necessary to provide the best treatment and care to our cancer patients. I am sure we will continue to offer our best in the time to come.”
Dr. Kirthi Koushik, HOD & Senior Consultant – Department of Radiation Oncology, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, emphasized the collaborative effort of the expert team of doctors and surgeons, stating, “The success of every cancer treatment is a testament to patients’ trust in our expert team, who have collaboratively contributed to the success of these IORT surgeries performed in the hospital. These recent cases vividly demonstrate how IORT, combined with breast conservation surgery, offers precise and effective treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients, reducing the need for prolonged radiation therapy and enhancing patient outcomes.”
IORT emerges as a promising option for select breast cancer cases, offering radiation therapy in tandem during surgery and minimizing the need for prolonged external beam radiation therapy.
With their multidisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art technology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital reaffirms its commitment to providing individualized and holistic care to cancer patients, marking a significant advancement in India’s healthcare landscape.
