Application of 3D printing technology in brachytherapy

Abstract

Brachytherapy (BT) is an extensively used treatment modality for cancer in many sites in the body. In this treatment method, small radioactive sources are localized proximal to cancerous tumors. The commercially available applicators, templates, etc., used for tumor localization and targeting in BT have standard sizes and dimensions. Besides this, researchers are now focusing on achieving more accuracy in BT. This goal can be accomplished through 3D printing technology, also known as 'additive manufacturing' (AM) or rapid prototyping, which has rapidly evolved in numerous applications. The 3D printing technology has enormous potential to perform personalized BT products and has enormous scope to improve clinical outcomes while lowering the risk of radiation-induced toxicity by growing recognition of precision medicine. In this review, the authors summarize the application of 3D printing in BT, and the challenges in developing a practical system are discussed.