Using brass mesh bolus for radiation therapy in breast cancer patients

A Clinical Trial to Assess Skin Dose in Post-mastectomy Adjuvant Radiation Therapy of Breast Cancer Patients Using a Brass Mesh Bolus

Not applicable Interventional Nova Scotia Cancer Centre · NCT05483712

This study is testing if using a brass mesh bolus during radiation therapy can deliver better skin doses and improve comfort for breast cancer patients who have had a mastectomy compared to the standard treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorNova Scotia Cancer Centre Academic / other
Locations1 site (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Trial IDNCT05483712 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of a brass mesh bolus in delivering radiation therapy to breast cancer patients who have undergone mastectomy. The study compares the skin dose achieved with the brass mesh bolus to that of the standard Superflab bolus used every other day during treatment. Participants will receive a standard 15-fraction radiotherapy treatment, with dosimeters measuring skin doses for quantification. The goal is to determine the optimal use of the brass mesh bolus to ensure adequate skin dose while potentially improving patient comfort and treatment efficiency.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women undergoing rotational chest wall radiotherapy following mastectomy for breast cancer who would typically use a bolus on some treatment days.

Not a fit: Patients requiring daily bolus due to skin involvement or other high-risk features will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a more effective and comfortable radiation therapy option for breast cancer patients post-mastectomy.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of bolus materials in radiation therapy is common, the specific application of brass mesh bolus in this context is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Women undergoing rotational chest wall radiotherapy following mastectomy for breast cancer treatment who would utilize Superflab bolus on some, but not all, days of radiotherapy treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who require daily bolus due to skin involvement or other high-risk features requiring a high skin dose will not be included.

Where this trial is running

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Breast CancerRadiation TherapyBrass MeshBolusSkin Dose
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.