Interstitial brachytherapy using iridium-192 for malignant brain tumors: clinical results.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects and toxicity of interstitial brachytherapy using iridium-192 on brain malignant gliomas.


METHODS
Between January 1992 and January 1995, 56 patients with anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme were treated with stereotactic brachytherapy using temporary high-activity iridium-192 sources.


RESULTS
The median survival for patients receiving brachytherapy was 28 months. The survival rates at 1, 2, 3 years were 92.8%, 83.9% and 71.4% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Brachytherapy may improve the control of local tumor and prolong the survival, when used in deep malignant brain gliomas, by temporary implanted high doses of iridium-192 sources.
Liu
Z
Z
Neurosurgical Center of PLA, Department of Neurosurgery, Navy General Hospital, Beijing.
Yu
X
X
Guo
Y
Y
Li
S
S
Cui
Y
Y
Yu
X
X
Yuan
Z
Z
Kang
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D015996:Survival Rate
D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes