High dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy of early and superficial carcinoma of the nasal vestibule as an alternative to low dose rate interstitial radiation therapy

A new technique of high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy is introduced for treating patients with early and superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule. This method is illustrated by a case report. A customized intranasal mould was fabricated in which afterloading catheters were placed. These catheters were loaded with a high activity 192 Ir pointsource, using the HDR-microSelectron. In this way the patient was treated twice daily over 5 days without hospitalization. The indications for the use of this technique and the advantages in comparison with low dose rate interstitial irradiation are discussed. (author)