title: Cesium-131 permanent seed brachytherapy: dosimetric evaluation and radiation exposure to surgeons, radiation oncologists, and staff.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cesium-131 ((131)Cs) radioactive seed is Food and Drug Administration approved for permanent seed implant for all cancers, including lung and head and neck (HN) cancers. We describe the first clinical report of (131)Cs dosimetry and exposure rates to treating physicians and staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight patients received (131)Cs implant for early stage lung and recurrent HN cancers. A nomogram was developed to calculate the number of seeds needed to cover the wedge line with the prescription dose (80 Gy). Final dosimetry was obtained after CT planning a few days following the surgical procedure. Radiation exposure to the treating physicians and staff was measured at the completion of the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A nomogram was developed using the variseed software with source data from American Association of Physicists in Medicine TG-43 report. The total volume covered by the prescription isodose line of (131)Cs was measured and compared with (125)I. The prescription volume was smaller for (131)Cs. In addition, the exposure rate with (131)Cs was found to be acceptable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary experience with (131)Cs lung and HN brachytherapy has been very encouraging with excellent dosimetric coverage and acceptable exposure to the treating physicians and staff.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. Bup9001@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Bhupesh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parashar
authors.forename: A Gabriella
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Wernicke
authors.forename: Al
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavese
authors.forename: Prabhsimranjot
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trichter
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabbas
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Kutler
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kuhel
authors.forename: Jeffery L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Port
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dattatreyudu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nori
authors.forename: K S Clifford
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049451:Nomograms; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes