OBJECTIVETo investigate the use of a 32P application device (AD) in the treatment of condyloma acuminatum (CA) in the rectum, and to compare its clinical effect with that of the microwave therapy.

METHODSThis study included 107 cases of CA in the rectum, 99 males and 8 females, aged 21-58 (33.6 +/- 9.4) years. Forty-six of the patients (the AD group) were treated with a self-made 32P application device, which, as a tube-shaped carrier of radionuclide 32P colloid, was fixed in the rectum at the diseased part for medication at 4.9-8.2 Gy for 3-5 hours once and 1-2 times a week. The other 61 (the microwave group) were treated by microwave burning under local anesthesia. Both groups of patients were followed up for over 3 months for comparison of the therapeutic results and observation of the stability and reliability of the 32P application device.

RESULTSThe rates of cure, reoccurrence and adverse reaction were 84, 8%, 13.0% and 8.7% in the AD group, compared with 40.3%, 55.7% and 75.4% in the microwave group, with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe 32P application device, with its advantages of low cost, easy operation, good effect, high safety and reliability, low recurrence, fewer adverse events and good acceptability, is highly valuable for the treatment of CA in the rectum.