Mould room

The mould room department plays a very important role in your radiotherapy treatment, especially if you are receiving radiation to areas like your head, neck, or limbs. Their job is to create custom devices, such as masks, that help you stay in the exact same position for every treatment session. This makes sure the radiation is delivered accurately to the cancer, while protecting as much healthy tissue as possible.

Why Is the mould room important?

In radiotherapy, precision is key. The goal is to target the cancer cells with radiation while avoiding healthy tissues and organs around the treatment area. To do this, it’s crucial that you stay perfectly still in the same position during each treatment session. This is where the mould room comes in – they create personalized devices that help keep you stable and comfortable.

What does the mould room team do?

The mould room team includes specially trained radiographers and technicians who make custom devices for each patient. These devices can include:

Radiotherapy masks (immobilization masks): If you’re having radiotherapy to your head, neck, or brain, the team will create a mask that helps keep your head in the same position during each session. This ensures the radiation targets the tumour precisely. The mask is made to fit you perfectly, so it’s both comfortable and effective.
Electron shielding: In some cases, if you are receiving superficial electron treatment, the mould room might also create electron shielding. This is a piece of shaped lead that can either be attached to the treatment machine or sit on your skin. This allows us to shield certain areas of your body from the radiotherapy.
Bolus devices: In some cases, the mould room might also create a bolus, which is a material that helps deliver the radiation more effectively to certain areas. It is placed on the skin or mask to ensure that the right dose of radiation reaches the surface or shallow areas of the body, particularly for skin cancers.

How are these masks made?

Creating these devices is a simple and painless process that usually takes place before your treatment starts.

For a radiotherapy mask, the team uses a sheet of plastic netting that becomes soft when warmed up. You will lie down on a treatment bed while the soft plastic is placed over your face and gently shaped to fit your features. It feels warm but not uncomfortable. The material then cools and hardens into the shape of your face, forming a mask that can be used to keep your head perfectly still during treatment.

If you have thick or long facial hair, please try to trim or thin it beforehand to help us get the best fit.

Customization for comfort

The mould room team is dedicated to making sure your device fits you well and is comfortable. Each mask or mould is custom-made to match your body shape, so it won’t be too tight or uncomfortable. The team will work with you to ensure that you’re happy with the fit, and they can make adjustments if needed.

During your treatment

Once your mask or body mould is ready, you will use it during every radiotherapy session. The device helps you lie still and in the correct position so that the radiation can be delivered accurately each time. You may feel reassured knowing that the mask or mould helps protect healthy tissues by keeping the treatment focused on the cancer.

Dental advice and taking care of your teeth

If you will be having weeks of radiotherapy to an area that will include your mouth, you will usually have a special dental check-up beforehand. You might need dental treatment before you start your radiotherapy.

An appointment will be made with a dentist who will assess your teeth, treat you (if needed) and explain how to take care of your teeth after radiotherapy to help to avoid problems in the future.

Psychological support

We understand that Wearing the mask during your radiotherapy can feel uncomfortable or even anxiety-inducing for some patients. Psychological support is available to help you manage any worries or fears you may have about the process.

Some coping strategies include:

Counselling: Speaking with a counsellor or therapist can help you work through your feelings about wearing the mask, providing reassurance and emotional support.
Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and visualisation exercises can help reduce anxiety before and during treatment.

Brief techniques to manage anxiety

Gradual desensitisation: For patients with claustrophobia, gradually getting used to the mask through practice sessions can ease discomfort.
Support groups: Connecting with other patients who’ve had similar experiences can provide comfort and encouragement.

Your radiotherapy team understands these concerns and is there to support you throughout your treatment, offering practical solutions to help you feel more at ease.

Why Is the mould room team important?

The mould room team plays a critical role in ensuring that your radiotherapy is as precise as possible. Their work helps improve the accuracy of your treatment, which means a higher chance of success and fewer side effects. By creating custom devices that keep you still and comfortable, they make sure that every session targets the cancer while minimising the impact on the rest of your body.

In summary, the mould room department ensures that you are positioned correctly and comfortably during radiotherapy by creating personalised masks or body moulds. This helps improve the accuracy of your treatment and makes sure that the radiation is delivered safely and effectively.