title: A unique nasopharynx brachytherapy technique.
abstract: To deliver a curative dose of radiation therapy to the nasopharynx using either external beam radiotherapy or conventional brachytherapy, it is often necessary to expose a large volume of normal tissue. Tolerance of normal tissue also limits the dose of radiation given for salvage therapy in failed nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A unique brachytherapy technique with associated treatment planning is presented as an alternative method of treatment. This technique combines a single linear cesium-137 source inserted in the nasopharynx via a modified cuffed endotracheal tube, in conjunction with a plaque of iridium-192 ribbons applied in the form of a modified upper denture appliance. This method allows additional treatment to the primary area while neither exposing more normal tissue than necessary nor exceeding tolerance doses to surrounding structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Cytacki
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes