Ultrasound guided implantation of radioactive (125)I seeds for treatment of recurrent head and neck carcinomas

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and the technological feasibility of B-ultrasound guided implantation of 125I seed for recurrent head and neck cancer.Methods: In the study,29 patients with local or regional recurrence of head and neck tumors after external beam radiotherapy alone,external beam radiotherapy combined neck dissection or chemotherapy were treated with 125I seed implantation guided by ultrasound under local anesthesia.The median number of seeds was 27(ranging from 3 to 61),and the radioactive activity ranged from 0.35-0.8 mCi(1.30×107-2.96×10 7 Bq).Postoperative quality evaluations were routinely obtained for all the patients.Results: The median follow-up was 8 months(ranging from 3 to 42 months).The 1-,2-and 3-year local controls were 53.1%,34.8%,and 17.4%,respectively.The 1-,2-and 3-year survival rates were 54.1%,27.5%,and 27.5%,respectively.Conclusion:Ultrasound guided implantation of 125I seeds can play an important role in the salvage treatment of recurrence of head and neck cancer.This study shows B-ultrasound guided 125I seed implantation is one of the most efficient brachytherapies,which is easy to operate,least invasive and safe for low morbidity.