Use of intraoperative 125iodine implants for large tumors attached to the carotid artery

Twenty-nine patients with large masses attached to the carotid artery underwent surgical resection with preservation of the artery, and intraoperative 125Iodine implantation via an absorbable suture. Eighteen were treated for recurrent neoplasms, having failed prior surgery and/or irradiation therapy. Eleven were treated primarily. With the minimum follow-up of one year, 76% were disease free in the implant volume and 62% were disease free in the entire neck. Distant metastasis occurred in 45%. Mean survival was 15 months in the primary group (range, 2-50 months) and 12 months in the recurrent group (range, 4-26 months). This technique shows promise in providing local control without necessity for sacrifice of the carotid artery.