3D Printed Custom Applicators for HDR BT (DISCO)

Intracavitary brachytherapy for gynaecological cancer currently use cylinder-type applicators or custom wax moulds to place a radioactive source in close proximity to the treatment area and provide highly conformal dose distributions. Current workflows for designing and constructing custom applicators with wax moulds are complex, time consuming and can result in a device that fails to meet original design specifications dictated by the planning system. In contrast, 3D-printed custom applicators provide the ability to design and print patient-specific devices that match optimal design specifications. The workflow for 3D-printed applicators is also more efficient with lower turn-around time and labour/equipment costs, and ensures a more robust product for treatment. Despite these advantages there is currently no radiotherapy department offering 3D printed custom applicators at present. This study will investigate the feasibility of successfully treating gynaecological cancers with 3D-printed custom applicators.

• To assess the patients radiation therapy acute and late toxicities using the CTCAE criteria [Срок оценки: 5 years]
• To compare quality of treatment plans generated for 3D-printed moulds and cylindrical applicators assessed by dosimetric indices, statistical analysis (p-value) and comparison with international guidelines. [Срок оценки: 5 years]
• Determine feasibility of a pre-planned MR-only procedure [Срок оценки: 5 years]
• To determine the feasibility of an initial CT-only process by comparing initial and final CT plan dosimetry assessed by dosimetric indices, clinical tolerances, and statistical analysis (p-value). [Срок оценки: 5 years]
• Determine feasibility of optimising 3D-printed applicator design based on the cylinder fitting procedure [Срок оценки: 5 years]
• To measure resources such as procedure times and demonstrate acceptable timescales for the process [Срок оценки: 5 years]
• To define the resource costs associated with the 3D-printed design process and perform a cost comparison with the standard of care process [Срок оценки: 5 years]
• To assess patient experience and acceptability of the process with questionnaires [Срок оценки: 5 years]