eISSN: 2081-2841
ISSN: 1689-832X
Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy
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6/2021
vol. 13
 
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abstract:
Original paper

A single-institution review of image-guided brachytherapy for vaginal malignancies using customized molded applicators and interstitial needles

Emily Flower
1, 2
,
Salman Zanjani
1
,
Gemma Busuttil
1
,
Emma Sullivan
1
,
Wayne Smith
1
,
Kathy Tran
1
,
David Thwaites
1, 2
,
Jennifer Chard
1
,
Viet Do
3, 4

1.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sydney West Radiation Oncology Network, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead, Australia
2.
Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Australia
3.
Radiation Oncology, Liverpool CTC, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
4.
South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Australia
J Contemp Brachytherapy 2021; 13, 6: 663–669
Online publish date: 2021/12/30
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Introduction
To review a single-institution’s pattern of practice, dosimetry results, and clinical outcomes for patients with unresectable malignancies of vagina, vulva, or urethra, receiving brachytherapy using customized vaginal moulds with or without interstitial needles.

Material and methods
Twenty-one consecutive patients were reviewed. Patients were treated using customized moulds with or without interstitial needles, implanted with a free-hand technique. Technical implementation, such as type of implant and imaging used were recorded. D90 and D98 of clinical target volume (CTV), D0.1cc of urethra, and D2cc and D0.1cc of bladder and rectum were analyzed. Any adverse clinical outcomes were reported.

Results
Eleven patients experienced endometrial cancer recurrences, one a cervical cancer recurrence and nine vaginal or peri-urethral primary disease. After a median follow-up of 3.5 years, local control was achieved in 14 patients (67%). Median D98 and D90 to CTV was 73.7 Gy and 78.3 Gy, respectively. One patient died from disease progression, one developed distant metastasis, and seven failed locally. Median D2cc to bladder was 64.8 Gy, with low-grade toxicity reported. Median D2cc to rectum was 62.9 Gy, with low-grade toxicity and one case of rectal proctitis was observed. Median urethral D0.1cc was 66 Gy, with no toxicity reported. One patient suffered from a sacral insufficiency fracture. It was presumed that vaginal mucosa proximal to CTV received the total dose, with two patients developing vaginal ulcers, which both resolved; 10 patients reported mild telangiectasia, fibrosis, or stenosis.

Conclusions
A review of patients treated with a customized vaginal mould and interstitial needles showed acceptable doses to CTV, with local control achieved in 67% of patients, and reasonable doses to organs at risk (OARs) and acceptable toxicity.

keywords:

vagina, endometrial recurrence, brachytherapy

 
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