Computerized tomography-guided percutaneous high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for malignant lung lesions

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Malignant lung lesions (MLL) pose treatment challenges, especially for patients ineligible for surgery.
• High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDRIBT) offers a targeted radiation approach.
• Computerized tomography (CT) guidance enhances precision in minimally invasive procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and safety of CT-guided percutaneous HDRIBT for MLL in non-surgical candidates.
• To evaluate short-term tumor control following the procedure.

Main Methods:

• A prospective trial involving eight patients with MLL (primary or metastatic).
• CT-guided percutaneous insertion of needles for HDRIBT delivery (20 Gy single dose).
• Monitoring for acute perioperative complications and tumor response at six months.

Main Results:

• The procedure was feasible with an average duration of 50 minutes.
• No fatal complications occurred; two patients experienced minor issues (hemoptysis, pleural effusion).
• Six out of eight patients demonstrated over 50% tumor dimension reduction within six months.

Conclusions:

• CT-guided HDRIBT is a safe and feasible non-surgical treatment for MLL.
• The technique provides effective tumor control.
• Further investigation is warranted to confirm these findings.