Individual applicator for brachytherapy for various sites of superficial malignant lesions

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss brachytherapy treatment and individual applicators suitable for unfavorably localized superficial malignant lesions. Techniques for manufacturing an individual applicator and clinical examples of its use for various locations of cancer are presented. This techniques are based on individual size and shape of the tumour. CT-planning make the technique adequate for individual patient history and type of tumour. Featured techniques seems to be very useful and easy to performed.

3D-printed surface applicators for brachytherapy: a phantom study

“…Other materials have been used in individual applications due to their plasticity. Examples include studies by Kuncman et al [6] and Kowalik et al [7], in which, target volume was within anatomical curvatures. Excellent results were obtained for patients who underwent brachytherapy.…”

Radiotherapy for management of basal and squamous cell carcinoma

“…For more extensive skin lesions with a relatively surface depth of less than 1 cm, a Freiburg Flap® applicator or HAM® by Nucletron, an Elekta company, Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) is often used. 61 Cetuximab, in contrast, is a targeted endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-inhibitor and its use has recently been reported alone and in combination with radiotherapy for treatment of epithelial skin cancers.…”

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) in superficial brachytherapy

“…For treatments of irregular, curved surfaces necessitating customized devices, skin applicators have taken the form of moulds manually crafted within a cancer center either by radiation therapists or dosimetrists. Manually creating a mould involves laboriously forming a stone or gypsum plaster replica of patient's anatomy, and then applying thin pieces of heated wax, plastic, or silicone [24] that are interweaved with catheter paths overtop the area of interest. Ensuring the catheter paths are consistently spaced and are at an appropriate distance from skin across the entire length of track can be challenging.…”