Jose L Guinot1, Agata Rembielak2, Jose Perez-Calatayud3, Silvia Rodríguez-Villalba4, Janusz Skowronek5, Luca Tagliaferri6, Benjamin Guix7, Victor Gonzalez-Perez8, Vincenzo Valentini6, György Kovacs9. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Foundation Instituto Valenciano de Oncologia (I.V.O.), Valencia, Spain. 2. Department of Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Radiation Oncology, La Fe University Hospital-IRIMED, Valencia, Spain. 4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Clinica Benidorm, Alicante, Spain. 5. Brachytherapy Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznań, Poland; Electroradiology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. 6. Polo Scienze Oncologiche ed Ematologiche, Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy. 7. Department of Radiation Oncology, Foundation IMOR, Barcelona, Spain. 8. Department of Radiation Physics, Foundation Instituto Valenciano de Oncologia (I.V.O.), Valencia, Spain. 9. Interdisciplinary Brachytherapy Unit, UKSH CL, Lübeck, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this publication is to compile available literature data and expert experience regarding skin brachytherapy (BT) in order to produce general recommendations on behalf of the GEC-ESTRO Group. METHODS: We have done an exhaustive review of published articles to look for general recommendations. RESULTS: Randomized controlled trials, systemic reviews and meta-analysis are lacking in literature and there is wide variety of prescription techniques successfully used across the radiotherapy centers. BT can be delivered as superficial application (also called contact BT or plesiotherapy) or as interstitial for tumours thicker than 5 mm within any surface, including very irregular. In selected cases, particularly in tumours located within curved surfaces, BT can be advantageous modality from dosimetric and planning point of view when compared to external beam radiotherapy. The general rule in skin BT is that the smaller the target volume, the highest dose per fraction and the shortest overall length of treatment can be used. CONCLUSION: Skin cancer incidence is rising worldwide. BT offers an effective non-invasive or minimally invasive and relative short treatment that particularly appeals to elder and frail population.
PURPOSE: The aim of this publication is to compile available literature data and expert experience regarding skin brachytherapy (BT) in order to produce general recommendations on behalf of the GEC-ESTRO Group. METHODS: We have done an exhaustive review of published articles to look for general recommendations. RESULTS: Randomized controlled trials, systemic reviews and meta-analysis are lacking in literature and there is wide variety of prescription techniques successfully used across the radiotherapy centers. BT can be delivered as superficial application (also called contact BT or plesiotherapy) or as interstitial for tumours thicker than 5 mm within any surface, including very irregular. In selected cases, particularly in tumours located within curved surfaces, BT can be advantageous modality from dosimetric and planning point of view when compared to external beam radiotherapy. The general rule in skin BT is that the smaller the target volume, the highest dose per fraction and the shortest overall length of treatment can be used. CONCLUSION:Skin cancer incidence is rising worldwide. BT offers an effective non-invasive or minimally invasive and relative short treatment that particularly appeals to elder and frail population.
Authors: Sofian Benkhaled; Dirk Van Gestel; Carolina Gomes da Silveira Cauduro; Samuel Palumbo; Veronique Del Marmol; Antoine Desmet Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-06-27