Iodine-125 radioactive seed tissue implantation as a remedy treatment for recurrent cervical cancer.

Abstract

This study was designed to discuss feasibility, short-term efficacy, and complications of iodine-125 radioactive seed tissue implantation for remedying recurrent cervical cancer. From June 2009 to December 2010, 17 patients with recurrent cervical cancer received radioactive seed implantation under computed tomography (CT) guidance. Matched peripheral dose was 145 Gy, while the number of implanted seeds was from 6 to 68 with a median of 20. Efficacy was determined based on the results of CT and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT. Postoperative follow-ups were from 4 to 18 months with a median follow-up time of 9.5 months. Nine patients died during follow-up while remaining patients survived during the follow-up period. Evaluation of efficacy: six patients had a complete response, four patients had a partial response, and seven patients had progressive disease, clinical efficacy rate as 58% (10/17). No patients had complications of radiation injury. Rate of 6 months and 1-year survival period was 74.8% and 18.3%, respectively. Comparing to patients who responded ineffectively to radioactive seed implantation, patients who responded effectively to radioactive seed implantation had a longer survival period (median 7.2 vs. median 10.4), in which the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.038). Iodine-125 radioactive seed tissue implantation is a feasible, effective, and safe treatment method for remedying or palliative treatment of recurrent cervical cancer. Patients who have recurrent cervical cancer and responded effectively to radioactive seed implantation will have a longer survival period.