A Novel Tapered Applicator for Post-Hysterectomy Vaginal Vault Brachytherapy: Quality-of-Life Assessment of Patient Comfort and In Vivo Dosimetry

In the treatment of endometrial cancer, adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy is typically performed to deliver radiation dose to the apex of the vagina with a fixed diameter vaginal applicator which extends the full length of the vagina. The largest cylinder which fits at the apex provides the best dosimetry. Smaller diameter cylinders may provide sub-optimal coverage of potential areas of disease. Due to pain or discomfort with a large cylinder, some women may be treated with a smaller diameter cylinder. A novel applicator, with a tapered design and two-step insertion was fabricated to improve the comfort, fit, and patient compliance of this procedure while maintaining optimum geometry and dosimetry at the dome. Our primary aim is to assess patient comfort with the new applicator. Patients will be fit with different applicators (standard of care and novel tapered vaginal applicator) and their comfort will be assessed with a visual analog scale-based survey, comparing the two.

Aim #1: Assess if the 3.0cm diameter novel tapered applicator is more comfortable than the standard 3.0cm diameter applicator among patients fitted with a standard 3.0cm diameter applicator.

Aim #2: Determine what percentage of patients who would otherwise be treated with a standard 2.6cm diameter vaginal cylinder can be up-sized to a 3.0cm diameter cylinder with the novel tapered applicator design.

Aim #3: Assess in vivo dosimetry (optional for all patients). Patients who are prescribed vaginal brachytherapy undergo 3-dimensional cross-sectional imaging (i.e., MRI or CT) prior to treatment, as standard of care. This is done with the standard treatment applicator inserted to assess radiation dose distribution. In this optional aim, patients will undergo a slightly longer MRI, with additional MRI images performed with the novel tapered applicator in place to characterize and assess dosimetry, fit, contact with mucosal surfaces and presence of air gaps in comparison to a standard cylindrical applicator.