Is 3D printinggided threedimensional brachytherapy suitable for cervical cancer: From one single research institute?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the guidance value of 3D printing in brachytherapy for cervical cancer and its role in the doctorpatient communication. Results: The median followup time was 36 months (1063); 3D models of 50 patients with cervical cancer were successfully printed out. Fifty patients underwent 255 times the source applicator. EQD 2 of HRCTV D90, bladder D2cc, sigmoid colon D2cc, and rectal D2cc were 75.26 ± 6.31, 67.84 ± 8.75, 47.36 ± 7.62, and 62.45 ± 8.68 Gy, respectively, and the overall score of the verisimilitude and usefulness of 3D printing models by five doctors was 8.0 ± 0.8 points. The score of patients’ satisfaction to the use of 3D printing model for operation communication was 9.0 ± 0.5 points. During three months of followup, two patients were with rectal hemorrhage in later period (level 2), and the symptoms were improved after hemostasis, enema and other symptomatic treatments. Threeyear local control (LC) was 92% (46/50), threeyear progressionfree survival (PFS) was 82% (41/50), and threeyear overall survival (OS) was 84%. Threeyear late toxic and side effects mainly include radiation proctitis, radiation urethritis, and vaginitis, and their level 3 incidence rates were: radiation gastroenteritis 10%, radiation urethritis 6%, and radiation vaginitis l: 8%, respectively. Conclusion: 3D printing model can well display relationship with the surrounding normal tissues and effectively guide doctors to conduct individualized brachytherapy for cervical cancer. It can also be used as a tool to communicate with patients, render doctorpatient communication more effective, and obtain a good curative effect and less toxic and adverse effects, which is worth further clinical practice.