Adjuvant brachytherapy for endometrial cancer: advantages of the vaginal mold technique

Treatment of endometrial carcinoma in the adjuvant setting includes in most cases vaginal brachytherapy. In our institution, we use the customized vaginal mold technique. Herein, we report the advantages of this personalized applicator in terms of target coverage, normal tissue preservation, the incidence of air pockets, and its potential impact on dosimetry.

A total of 15 patients receiving postoperative vaginal cuff high-dose-rate brachytherapy with the mold applicator technique were enrolled in this prospective data collection study. Patients were treated with either two or four fractions of 5 Gy prescribed to the clinical target volume, which consisted of an irradiation of the vaginal cuff and the upper third of the vagina. Target coverage; dose to organs at risk, in addition to the volume; and the dosimetric impact of air pockets surrounding the mold were evaluated.

In 15 patients, a total of 27 air pockets were identified. The average number of air pockets per patient was 1.8 (range, 0-4), with the average total air pocket volume being 0.1 cc (range, 0.01-0.54). The average dose reduction at 5mm from the air pocket was 26% (range, 6-45%). The minimal clinical target volume coverage reported was 95% and the maximal dose received by 2 cc of the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid never exceeded 110% of the prescribed dose.

Vaginal cuff high-dose-rate brachytherapy using the molded applicator provides personalized tailored treatment in terms of anatomical conformity. This translates into a dosimetrical advantage with smaller and fewer air pockets than reported in the literature with the use of cylinders.