MUMC First in Georgia with New Breast Cancer Technology

Savannah, GA, October 06, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Memorial University Medical Center (MUMC) is the first facility in Georgia to acquire the INTRABEAM® system for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). The system will be offered to women with early-stage breast cancer. With IORT, radiation is delivered directly into the tumor bed during breast-conserving surgery. The result is shortened treatment times, reduced side effects, and maximum radiation therapy benefits. International studies of INTRABEAM found that it offers the same cure rates as conventional whole breast radiation therapy.

“For some women, IORT eliminates the need for six weeks of radiation therapy after surgery. For others, it can shorten radiation treatment time by up to seven days,” said breast surgeon Ray Rudolph, M.D., MPH.

“Through treatments such as INTRABEAM IORT, we can minimize the side effects and impact of breast cancer treatment while maintaining the high probability of a cancer cure. Many women with breast cancer can now be spared the toxicity and inconvenience of a long course of treatment with a simple and effective same-day procedure.”

Intraoperative radiation therapy directs the radiation where it is needed most – the tumor bed, says radiation oncologist Aaron Pederson, M.D.

“During surgery, after the breast tumor is removed, we place an INTRABEAM probe directly into the tumor bed. The radiation is delivered for 20 to 30 minutes and is absorbed over a 1 to 2 cm. depth from the tumor cavity. This means less radiation is delivered to surrounding healthy tissue and organs. It also means there is less chance of a cancer recurrence.”

INTRABEAM has undergone extensive testing to ensure its efficacy and safety. It was the only IORT system studied in an international randomized controlled clinical trial called TARGIT-A. As of 2012, more than 160 centers have used INTRABEAM to successfully treat more than 7,000 patients worldwide.

Memorial University Medical Center is a two-state healthcare organization serving a 35-county area in southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina. The system includes its flagship hospital, a 530-bed academic medical center; Memorial primary and specialty physician networks; a major medical education program; business and industry services; and NurseOne, a 24-hour call center. To learn more, visit www.memorialhealth.com. You can follow us at facebook.com/memorialhealth, twitter.com/mymemorial, and youtube.com/memorialhealth.