What Researchers Did
Researchers described a case where a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the hand was treated with a combination of interstitial and surface high-dose-rate brachytherapy to preserve hand function.
What They Found
The patient received 4050 cGy in 9 fractions, twice daily, resulting in radiographic and clinical tumor control and retained hand function. However, acute pain requiring a nerve block and late grade 2 skin necrosis, treated with hyperbaric oxygen, were noted.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with hand squamous cell carcinoma, this case suggests brachytherapy can preserve function while controlling the tumor. It also demonstrates hyperbaric oxygen therapy's role in managing severe treatment side effects like skin necrosis.
Canadian Relevance
While the study authors are not explicitly Canadian, the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation-induced skin necrosis, as seen in this case, is a Health Canada-recognized indication.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, this study's findings cannot be broadly applied to other patients without further research involving a larger cohort.