A new method for treatment of unresectable, recurrent brain tumors with single permanent high-activity 125iodine brachytherapy.
We describe a new method for treating unresectable recurrent brain tumors in previously-irradiated patients with localized high-dose intracranial brachytherapy of 10,000-30,000 rads using permanent implantation of a single high-activity 125Iodine seed. For unresectable recurrent previously-irradiated pituitary tumors, a single high-activity 125Iodine seed is permanently implanted into the center of the tumor with an interstitial needle inserted under fluoroscopic guidance via a transsphenoidal approach. For unresectable recurrent meningiomas, a single high-activity seed is permanently implanted into the tumor at craniotomy. The clinical course of five patients treated by this method is described. Excellent long-term local control was obtained in all implanted cases. There were no intraoperative, postoperative, or chronic complications.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes