The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute of the ChristianaCare health network is using 3D printing technology specifically to improve radiation therapy for facial skin cancer. Instead of traditional methods based on plaster casts, the team around the medical physics department uses customized, 3D-printed facial models to produce patient-specific radiation protection masks. A recently published study in Practical Radiation Oncology documents the advantages of this approach.
Conventionally, for the treatment of superficial skin tumors with electron beam radiation, a facial cast is made from plaster, from which a lead shield is then molded. This process can take over 50 hours and requires a lot of manpower. The new process with 3D-printed plastic molds reduces this time to an average of 6.5 hours and also improves the accuracy of fit.
“We hit the trifecta with this new method – improving the patient experience, reducing procedure and labor time and increasing accuracy,” said Hank Chen, MS, senior medical physicist at the Graham Cancer Center. “This approach allows us to deliver radiation to a very specific area of the face while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues, which is critical in such sensitive areas. It’s faster, more accurate, and provides a more comfortable experience for our patients.”
The manufacturing process is currently based on CT data to precisely capture the facial structure. In the long term, however, 3D camera systems will also be used to further reduce the effort and radiation exposure. The processes developed at the center have now been established as a clinical standard.
“By incorporating 3D printing into our treatment process, we’re able to create a more efficient workflow and provide a higher level of care for our patients,” said Laura Doyle, Ph.D., DABR, chief clinical physicist at the Graham Cancer Center. “This technology represents a significant leap forward in the field of radiation oncology, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of its application.”
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