EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL-STUDIES ON DOSE REDUCTION EFFECTS OF SPACERS IN INTERSTITIAL BRACHYTHERAPY FOR CARCINOMA OF THE MOBILE TONGUE

The difference of radiation dose reduction effect with spacers of diff erent materials, a heat-curing denture base resin and a silicon impres sion material, was examined experimentally and clinically. Radium need les and iridium hairpins were used as radioactive sources. In both stu dies, it was revealed that adose reduction effect of silicon impressio n material was greater than that of denture base resin. Silicon impres sion material was thought to be a better material for spacers because of its larger radiation dose reduction effect and the time saving to p roduce the spacer.