Abstract:
Objective To investigate the application of 3D-printed minimally-invasiveguided template in the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer after surgery, assisting interstitial brachytherapy.
Methods From July 2017 to April 2018, a total of 10 patients admitted to Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Hebei province with recurrent cervical cancer after radical surgery underwent the 3D-printed customized template-assisted interstitial brachytherapy. According to the specific conditions of patients, different vaginal localization templates were selected for CT simulation localization. The main guidance needle space distribution was designed, and 3D minimally-invasive guidance templates were printed. Then, needles were inserted according to the main guide channel of the template commissioned by medical photosensitive resin. The high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) of 6 Gy/ fraction was administered (4 to 6 fractions).
Results Overall, 10 patients were treated with implantation for a total of 52 times. Treatment with average scanning CT number for each brachytherapy was (1.58±0.70) times. The average elapsed time for each brachytherapy implant treatment, from plug implant to inserting planting needle satisfactorily with the location of the tumor, was (10.88±2.94) minutes. The mean number of metal needles used was (5.69±1.91) in each brachytherapy. The mean D90 value for high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) was (6.41±0.29) Gy. The cumulative D2cm3 values for the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon were (4.75±0.37) Gy, (3.93±0.26) Gy, and (4.33±0.24) Gy, respectively. After 3 months of treatment, the efficacy was evaluated in 8 cases with CR and 2 cases with PR.
Conclusions The technology of 3D-printed minimally-invasive guided template shows the advantage of accurate location and superior repeatability in the application of interstitial brachytherapy in treating recurrent cervical cancer after operation, which involves less time and insertion needles. The patients had minor aches and few complications. The tumor shrank significantly, which indicated a bright future of the technology's clinical application.