Purpose: Surface mould brachytherapy (SMBT) is ideal in treating superficial skin cancer over the curved surface of the nasal ala. We describe the process of initiating and optimizing SMBT treatment at our institution including clinical workflow, generation of three dimensional (3D) printed custom applicators, and clinical outcomes.
Methods and materials: Planning CT scans were used to acquire images for delineating target volumes. The applicator was designed with customized catheter positioning (3-5mm from target) to cover target volume while sparing dose to organs at risk (OAR) such as adjacent skin and nasal mucosa. Applicators were 3D printed, with transparent resin to aid visualization of underlying skin. Dosimetric parameters evaluated included CTV D90, CTV D0.1cc, and D2cc to OARs. Clinical outcomes assessed were local control, acute and late toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0 [CTCAEv5.0]), and cosmesis (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group [RTOG]).
Results: Ten patients were treated with SMBT with a median followup of 17.8 months. Dose prescription was 40 Gy in 10 daily fractions. Mean CTV D90 was 38.5 Gy (range 34.7-40.6), mean CTV D0.1cc 49.2 Gy (range 45.6-53.5), which was <140% of the prescription dose in all patients. Treatment was well tolerated, with acceptable Grade 2 acute, Grade 0-1 late skin toxicity, and good-excellent cosmesis for all patients. Two patients experienced local failure, and both underwent surgical salvage.
Conclusions: SMBT was successfully planned and delivered for superficial nasal BCC using 3D printed custom applicators. Excellent target coverage was achieved while minimizing dose to OAR. Toxicity and cosmesis rates were good-excellent.
Keywords: 3D printing; Applicator; Basal cell carcinoma; Brachytherapy; Superficial.
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