Abstract

Intra-operative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT) is an intensive form of radiotherapy delivered to a targeted zone during surgery. IOERT is most applied for advanced or recurrent malignancies with a high rate of local control failure and positive or close margins at surgery and has become incorporated into national guidelines in North America and some EU countries. To date this modality has not been developed or studied in the UK within an NHS setting. Here we present the challenges in the development and implementation of the first UK IOERT unit and describe the safety and early results from its delivery in the setting of a challenging group of advanced or recurrent abdomino-pelvic malignancies.