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The Immobilisation Shell (Mask):

     Patients having radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck area have individual masks made for them. The mask enables the radiographers to accurately position a patient relative to the X-ray source and maintains that position for the duration of the treatment. To make the mask, a plaster mould was taken of my face, neck and head - a very messy business. A transparent plastic was then shaped into a mask which fitted over my face and could be fixed rigidly onto the treatment table.  

Great care was taken to ensure that the mask fitted tightly but comfortably. A rigid foam neck cushion was also made and used to limit possible head movement after the mask was locked in place. I had my hair cut short before the mould was taken to make the fitting procedure easier, and to limit the effect of hair growth during the treatment.  The picture shows my mask, complete with identification label and fixing flanges at each side of the neck area.

   Once the mask was complete, the next, and very important, part of the planning phase was a session on the simulator.