Clinical Implications of Thermoplastic Mask Immobilization on Acute Effects of Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers

Amit Bahl; Suresh C Sharma; Sushmita Ghosal; Rakesh Kapoor; Tapesh Bhattacharya

doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1042

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

Online First

Clinical Implications of Thermoplastic Mask Immobilization on Acute Effects of Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers

Amit Bahl, Suresh C Sharma, Sushmita Ghosal, Rakesh Kapoor, Tapesh Bhattacharya

Citation Information : Bahl A, Sharma SC, Ghosal S, Kapoor R, Bhattacharya T. Clinical Implications of Thermoplastic Mask Immobilization on Acute Effects of Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012; 46 (4):187-189.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1042

Published Online: 01-09-2014

ARTICLE
REFERENCES

Abstract

Aim

Thermoplastic immobilization devices are used in head and neck radiotherapy to increase precision of treatment delivery. However, there is concern about increase in radiation induced skin morbidity with the use of such devices. This study was conducted with an aim to evaluate any increase in clinically observed skin reactions with the use of thermoplastic immobilization devices.

Materials and methods

Fifty patients of head and neck cancers undergoing radical radiotherapy were randomized into two study groups in this prospective randomized study. Group ‘A’ received treatment with thermoplastic immobilization device. Group ‘B’ received treatment without any immobilization device. A weekly assessment of normal tissue reactions was done using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute radiation acute radiation morbidity scoring criteria.

Results

Increase in skin reactions was seen in patients using thermoplastic devices. Grade 3 reactions were seen in 56 vs 52% in the study and control group respectively. The difference was however not statistically significant (p = 0.09).

Conclusion

Increase in skin dose with use of thermoplastic immobilization devices may not clinically translate into a significant increase in acute skin reactions. Thermoplastic immobilization devices can be safely used in head and neck cancers to ensure accurate radiation delivery.

How to cite this article

Bahl A, Ghosal S, Kapoor R, Bhattacharya T, Sharma SC. Clinical Implications of Thermoplastic Mask Immobilization on Acute Effects of Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(4):187-189.

PDF Share

An overview. Indian Council of Medical Research 2002.
A radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) phase III randomized study to compare hyper-fractionation and two variants of accelerated fractionation to standard fractionation radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. First report of RTOG 9003. Int J Radiat Oncol B Phys 2000;48:7-16.
Dose behind various immobilization and beam–modifying devices. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1995;15:32(4): 1193-97.
Skin dose measurements for head and neck radiotherapy. Med Phys 1992;19(5):1263-66.
Effects of immobilization mask material on surface dose. J Appl Clin Med Phy 2005;6(1):1-7.
Influence of thermoplastic mask on the absorbed skin dose for head and neck tumor radiotherapy. Cancer Radiother 2002;6(5):310-19.
Skin damage probabilities using fixation materials in high energy photon beams. Radiother Oncol 2000;55(2):191-98.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2005;1: 61;(1):250-56.
An immobilization system for claustrophobic patients in head and neck intensity modulated radiation therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2004;(1);59(5):1531-39.
Study on influence of thermoplastic mask on radiation dermatitis for patients with laryngeal cancer. Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2011;25:1120-22.
Mucositis: Current management and investigations. Sem Rad Oncol 2003;13(3):267-73.

PDF Share