Techniques for making spacers in interstitial brachytherapy for tongue cancer.

The use of a spacer has been recommended in interstitial brachytherapy for tongue cancer to reduce the radiation dose to the mandible. This article describes the development of two types of acrylic resin spacers, a mouth guard-type spacer for dentate patients, and a replica denture-type spacer for edentulous patients. These spacers can be used without suture retention and are comfortable for patients.