Prosthetic devices within radiotherapy fields: planning implications and results

Prosthetic devices made of plastic or silicon are occasionally present in patients requiring radiotherapy (RT). The effect of RT on these devices and the potential implications of their presence on RT planning are relatively unknown. Three examples are presented in which various devices were included in RT fields. In two of the examples in vitro testing of the devices with high single doses of radiation was undertaken. Radiotherapy was given to all patients with high doses received by the devices. Minor adjustments were made to the planning techniques to reduce the doses to the devices. Neither significant complications nor any malfunctions of the devices were noted subsequently.