Breast cancer sufferers could be spared prolonged radiotherapy sessions after researchers developed a new technique to treat the disease during surgery.

More than 2,000 women took part in a trial which saw them receive a single dose of radiation targeting the exact site of their cancer.

The technique, called Targeted Intraoperative Radiotherapy (Targit), means patients do not have to undergo post-operation radiotherapy that can include 20 or 30 visits to hospital over five to six weeks.

It will spare patients further hospital visits and reduce their exposure to radiation.

Researchers think it could reduce waiting lists for treatment and save the NHS as much as £15 million a year.

Professor Jeffrey Tobias, from University College London Hospitals NHS Trust (UCLH), said: “I think the reason why it works so well is because of the precision of the treatment. It eradicates the very highest risk area - the part of the breast from which the tumour was removed.

“It is given in a single dose via an intraoperative probe and the conventional surgery is extended by just 30-40 minutes while the patient is asleep under anaesthetic.

“It also means there is an otherwise unachievable degree of immediacy because the cancer is taken out and radiation goes in as soon as the surgery is complete - rather than weeks after. The surgery and radiotherapy which would otherwise take around five weeks is done and dusted.”

Josephine Ford, 80, who took part in the trial in 2008 said the treatment made the process “less traumatic".

Arlene Wilkie, director of research and policy at , said: “This trial shows promising results for Intraoperative Radiotherapy in women with early breast cancer undergoing breast conserving surgery.”

Courtesy: http://uk.news.yahoo.com