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.

Keywords: :

• ¹²⁵I seed implantation
• Recurrent head and neck carcinoma
• Radiotherapy
• Ultrasound
• CT

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We thank Dr. Wei-Juan Jiang for manuscript assistance, Dr. Jin-Na Li, and Su-Qing Tian for their help in figure preparation. This work was supported by the Capital Medical Development Grant of Beijing (2009–2024).

ABBREVIATIONS
125I	=	iodine-125
LDR	=	low-dose rate
HDR	=	high-dose rate
MPD	=	matched peripheral dose
TPS	=	treatment planning system
EBRT	=	external beam radiotherapy
GTV	=	gross tumor volume
PTV	=	planning target volume
CR	=	complete response
PR	=	partial response
SD	=	stable disease
PD	=	progressive disease
TTP	=	time to progression
OS	=	overall survival