Cerrobend shielding stents for buccal carcinoma patients.

Buccal carcinoma is one of the most common oral malignant neoplasms, especially in the South Asian region. Radiotherapy, which plays a significant role in the treatment of this carcinoma, has severe adverse effects. Different types of prosthesis may be constructed to protect healthy tissues from the adverse effects of treatment and concentrate radiation in the region of the tumor mass. However, the technique for fabrication of shielding stent with Lipowitz's alloy (cerrobend/Wood's alloy) has not been well documented. This article describes detailed technique for fabrication of such a stent for unilateral buccal carcinoma patients to spare the unaffected oral cavity from potential harmful effects associated with radiotherapy.

A pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of cerrobend shielding stents in preventing adverse radiotherapeutic effects in buccal carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Radiation stents made of Lipowitz metal or cerrobend alloy are commonly used to shield uninvolved tissues from electron beams used in therapeutic radiation treatment of head and neck cancers. However, studies investigating the efficacy of cerrobend shielding stent in patients with unilateral buccal carcinoma remain rare. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of cerrobend shielding stents in minimizing the potential adverse effects of radiation on oral tissues in buccal carcinoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty.eight participants were selected for the study based on predetermined inclusion criteria, out of which four participants were lost to follow-.up. Half of the remaining participants. (N = 12) were randomly given cerrobend shielding stent and the remaining 12 formed the control group. The effects of radiotherapy were evaluated by using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. (RTOG) 0435 Head and Neck adverse effects grading tool. All participants were evaluated for xerostomia, mucositis, dysphagia, salivary changes, dysguesia, pain, trismus and radiation caries at baseline and 1 and 3. months post.radiotherapy. RESULTS: All adverse effects were higher in control compared to study group, with post therapy difference for pain in swallowing, salivary changes, mucositis, dysphagia, dry mouth and caries being statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Cerrobend alloy can be used effectively as shielding stent to reduce the adverse effects associated with external beam radiation therapy in unilateral buccal carcinoma patients.