Combined early breast-conserving surgery and intra-operative radiotherapy for breast carcinoma

Objective To study the beautifying effects and safety of combined early breast-conserving surgery and intra-operative radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. Methods Forty patients with breast cancer received combined early breast-conserving surgery and intra-operative radiotherapy with a Mobetron mobile electron accelerator at a median dose of 15Gy in our hospital from December 2008 to October 2009.The target area involved tumor with a 2cm margin lateral and 1cm margin posterior.Short-term therapeutic and beautifying effect as well as advertise effect of the treatment modality were observed. Results The patients were followed up for a median period of 190 days,during which no recurrence was observed.Excellent or good beautifying effect was achieved in 39 patients（95%）.Grade I radiation-induced lung injury was found in 5 patients（12.5%）,mild local breast fibrosis in 2 patients（5%）,and post-operative incision infection in 1 patient. Conclusion Intra-operative radiotherapy does not significantly increase complications and time of breast-conserving surgery.The short-term therapeutic and beautifying effects of combined breast-conserving surgery and intra-operative radiotherapy are good with only mild advertise effects.