Treatment of upper gum carcinoma with high-dose-rate customized-mold brachytherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To design an applicator for the treatment of tumors of the upper gum (UGCs) with high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy.


METHODS
A customized mold with four 6-Fr catheters was built. The two halves of the paired catheters form a functional loop without sharp curves.


RESULTS
An adequate dose to the surface of the tumor is ensured.


CONCLUSIONS
Mold-based HDR brachytherapy seems ideally suited for UGCs.
Garrán
Cristina
C
Department of Oncology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII s/n, Pamplona, Navarre, Spain.
Montesdeoca
Néstor
N
Martínez-Monge
Rafael
R
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D011881:Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome