Intraoperative radiotherapy in previously augmented patients with early-stage breast cancer.

186 Background: Breast conservation therapy (BCT) is the preferred treatment for early stage breast cancer (ESBC), providing equivalent survival to mastectomy with improved quality of life (QOL). Nevertheless, previously augmented women (PAW) with ESBC are often denied access to BCT due to potential complications arising from capsular contracture from exposure to whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT). Instead of BCT, PAW are commonly advised to undergo total, skin-sparing, or nipple-sparing mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction to eliminate the need for WBRT. These more extensive procedures alter the form and function of the breast, increase the risk of perioperative morbidity, prolong postoperative recovery, and add incremental costs. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) emerged as a strategy for delivering breast radiotherapy that preserves the option of BCT in PAW with ESBC. IORT confines the effects of radiotherapy to the quadrant of the breast and to the portion of the prosthesis in proximit...