Efficacy of Iodine-125 Seed Implantation in Locoregionally Recurrent and Unresectable Breast Cancer: a Retrospective Study

The management of locoregionally recurrent and unresectable breast cancer is a therapeutic challenge. This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of 125I seed implantation brachytherapy as a palliative management in locoregionally recurrent breast cancer. We analyzed 36 locoregionally recurrent and unresectable breast cancers in our hospital between 2012 and 2016. All patients were treated with CT-guided 125I seed permanent implantation. The dose distribution of 125I seeds was calculated using a computerized treatment planning system. Complete response, partial response, stable disease, and local tumor control rates were calculated. Long-term efficacy was assessed based on survival rates ranging from 1 to 4 years. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 53 months. The median local control was 28 months (95% CI: 16.2–39.8 months). The percentage of patients who showed 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year local control was 97.2%, 77.8%, 52.8%, and 33.3%, respectively. Median survival time for all patients was 48 months (95% CI: 40.9–55.1 months); 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year survival rates were 97.2%, 80.6%, 63.9%, and 46.5%, respectively. Pain relief response rate was 88.9%. No serious complications were detected during the follow-up period. The results of this study demonstrate that 125I seed implantation could be considered a feasible and promising minimally invasive therapy for locoregionally recurrent and unresectable breast carcinoma.