3D Printing In Electron Beams Treatment and the Prospects of Its Implementation in Routine Clinical Practice

Abstract

Purpose: To review the application of 3D printing technologies and suitable plastics in electron beam radiotherapy. Material and methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in the PubMed database using the terms “3D printing electron beams” and “MERT”. This review includes twelve significant publications from the past decade, featuring both foundational studies and experimental research. Some of these works serve as a basis for further investigations and are referenced by researchers and medical physicists for implementation in routine clinical practice. Results: The review analyzed over thirty international studies on the use of 3D printing in radiation therapy with electron beams. These studies were categorized into three groups: physical examinations of bolus materials, Monte Carlo simulations of bolus modeling, and clinical outcomes from the introduction of 3D-printed boluses in hospital settings. Conclusion: The integration of 3D printing into electron beam radiation therapy represents a novel and promising direction, fostering a more personalized approach to cancer treatment.