Fabrication of a radiation bolus prosthesis for the maxillectomy patient

Radiation therapy has been used in the treatment of numerous head and neck malignancies. Unfortunately, this treatment also causes complications by in creasing the morbidity to the surrounding tissues. The fabrication of a tis sue bolus prosthesis is recommended to compensate for the loss of tissue an d to help distribute the radiation homogeneously to the tissues. This artic le describes the procedures necessary for making an impression and fabricat ing a tissue bolus prosthesis. This custom-made prosthesis is simple, effic ient, and atraumatic for the patient. Use of a tissue bolus prosthesis allo ws the radiation oncologist to adequately irradiate the tissues.