Permanent Implantation of Iodine-125 Seeds as a Salvage Therapy for Recurrent Head and Neck Carcinoma After Radiotherapy

Abstract

Seventeen patients with head and neck recurrent carcinoma underwent 125I seed implantation under CT or ultrasound guidance. The actuarial D90 of the 125I seeds implanted was 90–160 Gy (median, 126 Gy). Median follow-up was 10 months (range, 3–48 months). The median local control time was 16 months; the 1- and 2-year local control rates were 66.5% and 49.9%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 51.3% and 38.5%, respectively (median, 16 months). None of the patients experienced grade 4 toxicity. 125I seed implantation was a feasible and effective salvage treatment for patients with recurrent head and neck cancers.