[Brachytherapy at the Institut Gustave-Roussy: personalized vaginal mould applicator: technical modification and improvement]

Cancer Radiother. 2008 Dec;12(8):822-6. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2008.04.002. Epub 2008 Sep 4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Brachytherapy plays an important role in the treatment of patients with gynaecological cancers. At the Institut Gustave-Roussy, the technique of vaginal mould applicator has been used for decades. This technique allows a personalized tailored irradiation, integrating tumour shape, size and extension and vaginal anatomy. Vaginal expansion reduces the dose to the vaginal mucosa and to the organs at risk. We report a modification of the material used for vaginal mould manufacture. The advantages of the new material are a lighter weight, and transparency allowing a better accuracy in the placement of catheters for radioactive sources. This material is applicable for low dose-rate, pulse dose-rate and high dose-rate brachytherapy. Since 2001, more than 700 vaginal moulds have been manufactured with this new approach without any intolerance.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Catheterization
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • France
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Mucous Membrane / radiation effects
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Vagina / anatomy & histology
  • Vagina / radiation effects*