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[Brachytherapy of cancer]
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy
|May 1, 1987
Summary
Brachytherapy, a radiotherapy method, shows promise for esophageal cancer. Combining external and intracavitary radium irradiation achieved a 34% primary control rate, while iridium-192 seeds offered survival benefits for various advanced cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
Context:
- Brachytherapy is a key radiotherapy technique, particularly low-dose-rate brachytherapy for uterine and tongue cancers.
- Historically, esophageal cancer treatment involved external irradiation combined with intracavitary radium therapy.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy of external irradiation combined with intracavitary radium therapy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
- To assess the outcomes of interstitial irradiation using iridium-192 seeds for residual or unresectable tumors.
Summary:
- Between 1974-1983, 76 patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma received combined external and intracavitary radium therapy, yielding a 34% primary control rate and 24.1% 5-year survival.
- From 1982, 30 patients with advanced or recurrent cancers (including brain, head/neck, lung, breast, pancreas, bile duct, uterus, skin, and soft tissue sarcoma) were treated with iridium-192 interstitial irradiation, with a 4-year survival of 17.1%.
Impact:
- External irradiation followed by intracavitary radium irradiation demonstrates good results for esophageal cancer.
- Iridium-192 interstitial brachytherapy shows favorable preliminary results for various advanced and recurrent malignancies, suggesting potential for expanded indications.