Distribution pattern of radioactive labelled lipiodol-UF following intralymphatic application for therapy

Endolymphatic radiotherapy with 4 mCi32P tri-n-octylphosphate and 1 mCi 131 I triolein LIPIODOL UF has been performed in 75 patients suffering from malignant melanoma of the lower extremity. On the average, 13.3% of the radioactive substance remains in the syringes and connecting tubes. In most patients the radioactive material available for therapeutic irradiation is further reduced due to contamination of operation sheets and swabs (mean: 15.3%). There is, however, still sufficient radioactivity remaining for effective internal irradiation of the lymph nodes. The average radiation dose absorbed by the lymphatic tissue is 90.998 rad. The method is limited by the hazard of radiation damage to the lungs. Almost 80% of these patients had detectable concentrations of radioactivity in the lung fields. The average radiation dose was found to be 299 rad. So far radiation induced fibrosis has bot been observed in this series.