S35
Brachytherapy - General brachytherapy
ESTRO 2026
Digital Poster 1562 High-Dose-Rate Plesiotherapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer and Cutaneous Breast Cancer Recurrences: The Experience of a Center Luísa Samarão 1 , Alice Alves 2,3 , Pedro Fernandes 1 , Diana Correia 1 , Alexandre Pereira 4,5 , Sara Pinto 4,5 , Lurdes Trigo 1 1 Brachytherapy Service, Department of Imaging and Radiation Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal. 2 Radiation Oncology Department, São João University Hospital Center, Porto, Portugal. 3 University of Vigo, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain. 4 Medical Physics Department, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal. 5 Medical Physics, Radiobiology and Radiation Protection Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPO), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal Purpose/Objective: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a common malignancy with a rising global incidence. Cutaneous recurrences of breast carcinoma (CRBC) remain a therapeutic challenge, particularly in previously irradiated areas. High-dose-rate (HDR) plesiotherapy, a surface brachytherapy technique, allows precise delivery of high radiation doses to superficial lesions while sparing adjacent healthy tissue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicity patterns of HDR plesiotherapy in patients with NMSC and CRBC treated at our institution. Material/Methods: Retrospective study that included patients treated for superficial skin lesions (primary and metastatic) between December 2012 and December 2023 using HDR plesiotherapy. Between one and five anatomical regions were delineated with a radiopaque marker, followed by the application of plastic tubes, or catheters, embedded into the customized moulds at specific, parallel distances. All treatments were delivered with an Iridium-192 source using a remote afterloading technique, HDR. The total prescribed dose ranged from 32 Gy to 40 Gy, administered in 10 fractions, twice weekly, over five weeks. Acute and late toxicities were assessed according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Results: A total of 31 patients, with 37 lesions treated, underwent HDR plesiotherapy, with a median follow- up of 32 months. The cohort had a median age of 65 years (range: 44–90), comprising 19 females and 12 males.Treated sites included 20 lesions on the trunk, 10 on the face (eyelid, lip, nose, and malar region), and 7 on the scalp. Cutaneous metastases from breast carcinoma accounted for 54.1% of cases (n=20), while 17 treatments targeted primary skin tumors: basal cell carcinoma (n=10), squamous cell carcinoma (n=5),
The review (4) defines the PCC as respecting the patient as a unique individual, considering their wishes and involving them in their care. Collaboration among nurses, brachyphysicists, oncologists and anesthesia staff is essential. The anesthesiateam relieves pain while brachytherapy nurses focus on comperhensive supportive care. Results: Patients report high levels of satisfication. Repeated information increases understanding and reduces anxiety, while the presence of a dedicated nurse throughout the procedure promotes safety and trust. Feedback highlights reduced anxiety/pain, as well as confidence in the treatmentprocess. Of 568 patient satisfaction forms, 345(61%) were completed. Among these, 86.1% fully agreed and 8.3% mostly agreed that they were treated with compassion and respect. Overall, 97.2% reported being very satisfied with the care and treatment recieved. Conclusion: In conclusion, PCC in brachytherapy enhances patient experience and quality of care. Systematic communication, continuity and multidisciplinary collaboration promote trust, safety and improved treatment outcomes. Engaging patients in their own care is essential for success (2), achieved by adressing individual needs, tailoring information and reinforcing understanding throughout the process (3). These findings highlight the value of integrating PCC principles into nursing practice and provide a model for evidence-based development in brachytherapy. Keywords: Nursing Care, Person-centered care, Brachy therapy References: *** We used AI for help with translation from Swedish to English. 1. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2021). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (11th ed.).2. Jangland, E., & Muntlin, Å. (2025). Fundamentals of care – klinisk tillämpning av ett teoretiskt ramverk för omvårdnad.4. Arakelian et al. (2017) The meaning of person-centred care in the perioperative nursing context from the patient's perspective 5. Spruce L. (2013) Bringing back the basics of perioperative nursing care6. Leinonen et al. (2001) The quality of perioperative care: development of a tool for the perceptions of patients7. Karlsson et al. (2013) An intraoperative caring model – the `awake´ patient’s need for a genuine caring encounter
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