Rapid prototyping technique for creating a radiation shield.

Radiation therapy for the treatment of head and neck skin cancer poses challenges because of the inherently uneven tissue topography of the face and the need to protect surrounding unaffected tissues. The use of a customized radiation shield that combines tissue-equivalent bolus material with protective material addresses these issues. This article describes a technique using rapid prototyping to design and fabricate an extraoral radiation shield. This innovative application provides an expedient, standardized approach for delivering radiotherapy to the face, which is not only more comfortable for the patient, but allows more precise treatment delivery.