A PRECISION BRACHYTHERAPY DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Abstract

Project goal:​​ To design a precise brachytherapy device to deliver twice the radiation dose to cancerous tissue than to healthy tissue for patients with esophageal cancer. Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy in which a small radioactive seed is placed in close proximity to cancerous tissue in order to minimize damage to the healthy surrounding tissue. Non-specific brachytherapy exposure minimizes both treatment efficacy and maximum applied dose in the treatment of esophageal cancers. A precision brachytherapy device was sought after to improve patient care. A precision brachytherapy device utilizing multiple seed channels was created using materials compatible with gamma radiation used during the procedure, ethylene oxide for sterilization of the device, and diluted acid to simulate the conditions of the esophageal tract. Water and contrast mixture, used for visualization during a CT scan, were used to fill balloons which function to stabilize the device. The multiple seed channels were compatible with existing brachytherapy equipment and the device does not require additional training of radiation oncologists or medical physicists. Analysis proved that the device achieves twice the dose of radiation to cancerous tissue than healthy tissue in patients.