A face mask for radiation, often called an immobilization mask, is a custom-made medical device used during radiation therapy for cancers affecting the head, neck, or brain. It serves as a physical restraint, ensuring a patient remains perfectly still throughout treatment sessions. This enhances the accuracy of radiation delivery.
Why These Masks Are Essential
These masks are essential for the precision of radiation therapy. Their main function is to prevent slight movements of the head, neck, or shoulders during radiation delivery, ensuring accurate targeting of cancerous cells. By keeping the patient in a consistent, fixed position, the mask allows radiation oncologists to direct high-energy beams with millimeter accuracy to the tumor site. This focused delivery maximizes the radiation dose to the cancer while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs, such as the brain, eyes, and salivary glands. This precision improves treatment effectiveness and reduces potential side effects.
The Customization Process
The creation of a radiation mask involves a personalized process. Typically, the mask is crafted from a thermoplastic mesh material. During a “planning session,” which may take around 30 minutes, the material is softened by being heated in warm water, usually around 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), making it pliable.
A radiation therapist or mould technician then gently places this warm, damp mesh over the patient’s face, molding it directly to the contours of their head and neck. As the material cools, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes, it hardens, creating a snug and exact fit, ensuring reproducibility of the patient’s position for each subsequent treatment session. Sometimes, a stockinette or gauze may be placed over the head to prevent the mask from sticking to hair. The mask is then secured to the treatment table with clips, and important treatment marks are drawn directly onto the mask, not the patient’s skin.
Patient Experience During Treatment
Wearing a radiation mask can raise concerns for patients, particularly regarding comfort and feelings of claustrophobia. About 26% of patients may experience anxiety related to mask use. While the mask provides a firm fit, it does not cause pain and is made from non-toxic, breathable materials with holes that allow for normal breathing and often sight. Medical staff help alleviate fears by maintaining open communication, explaining each step of the process, and offering reassurance.
Patients are encouraged to communicate any discomfort or anxiety by raising a hand or using a thumbs-up/down signal, as talking may be difficult with the mask on. Treatment sessions with the mask are typically short, lasting between 10 to 30 minutes, which helps to manage potential discomfort. For those experiencing significant anxiety, staff may suggest relaxation techniques like deep breathing or listening to music, and in some cases, medication to help them relax may be prescribed. The mask itself does not emit radiation.