[Individual silicon applicator for nasopharyngeal brachytherapy]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Physics
• Biomaterials

Context:

• Head and neck cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer, often require advanced treatment modalities beyond conventional surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
• Brachytherapy, particularly intracavitary brachytherapy, offers a valuable treatment option for primary, residual, or recurrent head and neck malignancies.
• Nasopharyngeal cancer is a well-suited indication for intracavitary brachytherapy, which can be delivered using commercial or custom-made applicators.

Purpose:

• To present the technique for manufacturing a custom individual nasopharyngeal silicon applicator.
• To report the clinical experience with this applicator in three patients undergoing brachytherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer or lymphoma.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the custom applicator in delivering high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Summary:

• An individual nasopharyngeal silicon applicator was manufactured using shore 12 silicon after imprinting and plaster casting under general anesthesia.
• The applicator, featuring two integrated tubes, facilitated safe endocavitary brachytherapy utilizing the high-dose-rate afterloading method.
• Successful tumor control was achieved in all three patients treated with this custom applicator.

Impact:

• The developed individual silicon applicator is suitable for intracavitary brachytherapy of the nasopharynx.
• This custom applicator represents a valuable addition to the primary treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer.
• The technique offers a potentially improved method for targeted radiation delivery in nasopharyngeal malignancies.