CT-guided 125I brachytherapy in the treatment of distant metastases in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region

Abstract PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of CT-guided 125 I brachytherapy for distant oral and maxillofacial metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with 84 distant oral and maxillofacial metastases. Thirty-one patients with 38 lesions received 125 I brachytherapy (group A) and 34 with 46 lesions received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT; group B). RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 16 months. The 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month local control rates for group A were 83.9%, 75.9%, 66.7%, 38.4%, and 25.0%, respectively; for group B they were 76.5%, 62.5%, 43.8%, 25.0%, and 0.0%, respectively ( P P 125 I brachytherapy, tumor size, and primary pathological type were the independent factors affecting LTPFS. Additionally, 125 I brachytherapy showed better performance in relieving patient clinical symptoms relative to EBRT ( P CONCLUSION: CT-guided 125 I brachytherapy is feasible and safe for distant oral and maxillofacial metastases; it achieved a better local control rate, longer LTPFS and fewer complications without compromising overall survival compared with EBRT.