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RACS ASC 2025
Intra-Operative Radiotherapy (IORT) provides lower recurrence rates in the elderly patient cohort
Verbal Presentation
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Verbal Presentation

4:50 pm

05 May 2025

Meeting Room C3.4

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

Talk Description

Institution: Monash Health - Victoria, Australia

Purpose Intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) is a promising alternative to Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy, and adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). IORT is an intra-operative single radiation dose to the tumour cavity, with targeted delivery, patient convenience, and decreased toxicity compared to EBRT. We aimed to evaluate the impact of age on recurrence outcomes in IORT-treated early breast cancer patients. Methodology A prospective registry in 2017 was commenced, with inclusion criteria of early breast cancer patients undergoing BCS + IORT (Xoft Axxent eBx) according to a risk-adapted eligibility criteria. Mastectomy patients and those not receiving IORT were excluded. Data regarding clinicopathological characteristics and recurrence outcomes were collected. Results 101 patients were enrolled- average age 66 years and tumour size 15 +/- 7.70mm. 10% of patients received additional EBRT due to positive sentinel lymph node biopsy or tumour biology. At median follow-up of 48 months, local recurrence (2.97%), locoregional recurrence (0.99%), and distant recurrence (0.99%) were reported. Multivariate analysis of demographic variables identified statistical significance in age. An increase in age of 1 year was associated with a 15.2% decrease in recurrence rates (95% CI 24.6% - 1.5%, p<0.05). Conclusion In patients who underwent IORT, increased age significantly predicted decreased recurrence rates. Careful age selection criteria is crucial for optimal IORT outcomes and low recurrence rates. IORT could be an effective treatment strategy for older patients. However, more high-powered studies are required to compare significance in various age groups and other demographic factors.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Dr Elizabeth Tan - , Dr Thomas Coates - , Dr Matthew Ng - , Dr Corinne Ooi -