Efficacy and morbidity of temporary (125)I brachytherapy in pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas.
OBJECTIVE
Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs) are the most common soft tissue tumors in the pediatric population. The American Brachytherapy Society provides recommendations for the use of brachytherapy (BRT) in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas; yet, there are no clearly defined recommendations for the use of adjuvant BRT in treating RMSs in particular. Radiation therapy has an important role in maximizing local control, and BRT has the advantage over external beam radiation therapy of providing a high dose of radiation to the most susceptible area of recurrence, while delivering a lower dose to the surrounding normal tissue.


METHODS
This study examines a group of 8 pediatric patients with RMSs who were treated with temporary low-dose-rate (125)I BRT and investigates the efficacy and side effects of such treatment.


RESULTS
The results demonstrate a local recurrence rate of 12.5%, with minimal side effects occurring in the patients who had no prior radiation history. Each patient's side effects are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
The high efficacy and ease of radiation protection for visitors establishes this as an effective treatment that is logistically convenient for patients and families. This is the first report of patients exclusively with RMSs being treated exclusively with (125)I BRT and demonstrates promising results.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH. Electronic address: hentzcl@mail.uc.edu.
Courtney
C
Hentz
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.
William
W
Barrett
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Brachytherapy; Low-dose-rate (125)I; Pediatric sarcoma; Rhabdomyosarcoma; Soft tissue sarcoma