Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treated with HDR-Brachytherapy: Acute Toxicity and Cosmesis Outcomes

Abstract

for radial distances 0.5 cm # r!5 cm using the line model and 0.5 cm # r! 4 cm for the point model. Multiple source point dose calculations for Symphony vs. VariSeed fell within 1% for distances 0.5 cm # r ! 5 cm. The DVH comparison revealed a maximum difference of 3.9% and 4.6% within the region of high dose gradient (80 Gy to 125 Gy) for the line and point model, respectively, and a mean difference of 0.8% and 1.1% outside the region of high dose gradient, respectively. Volume comparison using the CIRS phantom for MIM vs. Focal fell within 0.4%. Geometrical accuracy of MIM's plan report, digital ruler, and functionality of miscellaneous tool features were verified. Conclusions: This study shows agreement of dose calculations between MIM, VariSeed, and TG-43 formalism for intermediate distances from the source. As mentioned in TG-43, it is expected that the dose calculation becomes more inaccurate in areas of high dose gradient, namely, close to the source and near the end of the source. However, for clinical distances (i.e. r 5 0.5 cm) the dosimetric difference was found to be insignificant (max 0.5%). This was true for both the point dose calculation comparison and DVH comparison. Additionally, deviation in reported volume between MIM and Focal were determined to be acceptable. In conclusion, MIM Symphony was verified as a satisfactory LDR TPS for Cs-131 head and neck implants.

Non-melanoma Skin Cancer Treated by Contact High-dose-rate Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy): A Mono-institutional Series and Literature Review

“…In fact, in a recent report, 90% of patients experienced dermatitis but without any case of >G3 toxicity. Moreover, all acute toxic events recovered between the first and the second month after treatment end (21). In another report, the most common acute toxicities were itch (42.0%), pain (23.0%), xerosis (12.0%), and alopecia (12.0%).…”