Award Date

5-1-2020

Degree Type

Dissertation

Department

Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences

First Committee Member

Steen Madsen

Second Committee Member

Yu Kuang

Third Committee Member

Cephas Mubata

Fourth Committee Member

Ryan Hecox

Fifth Committee Member

Dharini Bhammar

Number of Pages

71

Abstract

Skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy affecting both men and women in the United States. A majority of these cases are nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The goal of any skin cancer treatment is to cure the lesion itself while also preserving function and optimizing superficial cosmesis. High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy provides an alternative to superficial x-ray or electron beam for skin cancer treatment. Utilizing an Iridium 192 source soldered to the end of a wire, surface dose can be administered at predetermined positions with sharper dose fall off than x-ray or electron beams. A variety of applicators are available to guide the HDR source wire to the specified location. The Harrison Anderson Mick (H.A.M.) applicator is an HDR surface applicator designed to create defined spacing between the source, tissue, and source channels. The pliable nature of the flap allows for customizable contouring to the patient’s treatment area. This project is designed around the general implementation and commissioning of a H.A.M applicator flap for HDR skin cancer brachytherapy and the acceptance and commissioning of a Varian Bravos HDR afterloader. Dimensional analysis of the applicators matched manufacturer specifications and each applicator was free from damage. Applicator dosimetry was verified using Gafchromic EBT3 film and RIT113 film analysis software. Prescription depth and dose recommendations are presented and both treatment planning and quality assurance methods were established. End-to-end testing performed using the applicators demonstrated that they are adequate and capable of HDR treatment.

Keywords

Afterloader; Brachytherapy; Bravos; Skin; Surface Applicator

Disciplines

Medical Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nuclear | Oncology

File Format

pdf

File Size

3.4 MB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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