High dose rate Microselectron moulds for Kaposi sarcoma of the palate.
OBJECTIVE
External beam radiotherapy for Kaposi sarcoma of the palate in HIV positive patients has often severe acute side-effects. As alternative treatment, a high dose Microselectron brachytherapy technique was developed.


METHODS
A customised dental plate with afterloading tubes was made; from outlines, three dimensional coordinates of source positions and surface points were input to a Target 2 treatment planning computer. For the best dose-distribution on the mould surface, weighting of each source dwell position was adjusted, a plan produced, and a test run with TLD measurements performed.


RESULTS
We planned and treated six patients and seven lesions with this technique. A median surface dose of 24 Gy (range 14-39.9 Gy) in 3 fractions over 3 to 10 days was prescribed. There was a complete response for all lesions with only mild mucositis. No relapse occurred in the treated areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Kaposi sarcoma of the palate treated with a high dose rate Microselectron dental plate is convenient for the patient, achieves local control and has less acute toxicity compared with external beam radiotherapy.
Syndikus
I
I
Meyerstein Institute of Oncology, Middlesex Hospital, London, UK.
Vinall
A
A
Rogers
P
P
Spittle
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010159:Palate; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000532:radiotherapy*