Objective To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound during the operation of 125 I permanent brachytherapy for pancreas carcinoma.Methods According to the mass size,the total radiation dosage and the amount of radioactive seeds were calculated before operation.Then all needles were inserted evenly in the mass and radioactive seeds were implanted through the needles under ultrasonic guidance during the operation. At the end of operation,ultrasonography and/or abdominal radiography were applied to examine the distribution of seeds and to find if any place was left out. Results Thirteen patients were operated on successfully and the mass was displayed clearly with ultrasonography. Under the guidance of ultrasound,needles were exactly inserted in the mass and the whole process of implantment was easily observed. Locations were proved exactly by ultrasonography and abdominal radiography after operation. Conclusions Ultrasound has some important values in this procedure,such as precise orientation,real-time monitoring,follow-up evaluation,etc. Application of ultrasonography has the broad prospect in this field.

50% in 7 patients and

Objective To evaluate the prevention and treatment of rectal complications following 125I brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Methods A total of 90 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer was treated by transrectal ultrasound guided prostate 125I brachytherapy combined with maximal androgen blockage from November 2001 to June 2006. The patients were followed every 1～3 months postoperatively, and rectal complications was analyzed and treated. Results Eighty-nine patients were followed for 1～55 months (mean, 22 months). The incidences of rectal complications at grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were 11.2% (10/89), 6.7% (6/89), 0%, and 2.2% (2/89), respectively. Symptomatic therapy was conducted in 16 patients with grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ complications, which were symptomatically relieved 6 months later. The grade Ⅳ complications occurred in 2 patients, one of whom underwent repeated examinations and treatment for proctitis, and the other of whom was complicated with severe diabetes and received a laparocolostomy with cystostomy. Conclusions The optimal medical treatment for radiation proctitis is follow-up checkups and observations. To reduce the incidence of urethrorectal fistula, excessive examinations and treatment should be avoided. Accompanying diabetes should be treated promptly and actively.

Objective To investigate the technological feasibility and short-term efficacy of 125I seeds implantation in head and neck cancer. Methods Thirty patients with head and neck recurrent cancer were treated with 125I seeds interstitial brachytherapy. The operation was performed under local anesthesia and the 125I seeds were implanted under the guidance of ultrasonography. The seed needles were implanted parallelly to each other, at 1～1.5 cm apart. The Mick applicator was used to implant seed at 1 cm interval. The radioactive activity per seed ranged 0.40～0.70 mCi, and the matched peripheral dose (MPD) was 90～160 Gy. The number of 125I seed implanted per lesion was 3～84 (median, 24). Ten patients with a seed radioactive dose

Objective: To investigate the clinical results of permanent implantation of radioactive 125 I seeds in treatment of advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.Methods:Eight patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated with 125 I implantation from May 2002 to December 2002 and the data was retrospectively analyzed.Results: The mean number of 125 I seeds implanted was 22.8 with minimum of 19 to maximum of 38 each. The matched peripheral dose was 65 Gy.The postoperative courses were uneventful and no bone marrow suppression was recorded.The preoperative efractory abdominal and back pain in 2 patients were relieved completely (2/2).The postoperative CT scan which were done in four cases showed that tumor disappeared completely in 2 cases,were well locally controlled in 1 and slightly controlled in one.No acute pancreatitis and pancreatic leakage were encountered in all patients.Conclusion: The implantation of radioactive 125 I was effective in local control of the tumor and pain relief and is a safe alternative for the treatment of unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of 125I particle implantation brachytherapy combined with intermittent hormonal therapy for treating clinical moderate and high risk non-metastatic prostate cancer.Methods A prospective study was proceeded and 100 cases with moderate and high risk (cT≥T2b,Gleason score ≥ 7,pre-biopsy PSA ≥ 10 ng/ml)non-metastatic prostate cancer were included.The selected patients were divided into two group.In the study group,patients were treated with 125I particle implantation combined with intermittent hormonal therapy.In the control group,patients were treated with only intermittent hormonal therapy.Hormonal therapy was maximal androgen blockage for two groups,including bicalutamide 50 mg oral every day and Leuprorelin 3.75 mg subcutaneous injection every 28 days.There were 50 cases in each group and clinical trial agreements were signed.During follow-up,PSA were tested every month.Chest X-ray and whole-body hone scanning were checked every 6 months.Hormonal therapy was stopped when patient's PSA level fell to 0.2 ng/ml,and keep stabilized for 3 months.When PSA level elevated for 3 times continuously and over 1 ng/ml,hormonal therapy was initiated again.The IPSS scores were documented before treatment and every 3 months after treatment.Adverse reactions of urinary tract and rectum were assessed every 3 months after 125I particle implantation in study group.The ratio of the first time to stop hormonal therapy,the time duration of first hormonal therapy and stable phase,re-hormonal therapy free survival rate,bone metastasis free survival rate,castration resistance prostate cancer(CRPC) free survival rate,cancer-specific free survival rate and overall survival rate were compared.Results The 100 cases in this study were followed up for 24-40 months,with an average time of 31.6 months.In study group,the PSA level in all cases descended to the level of stopping hormonal therapy.The time duration of hormone therapy ranged from 4 to 12 months,with an average time of 6.3 months.21 (42％) cases had a PSA elevation again to restart hormonal therapy.In control group,the PSA level in 47 cases descended to the level of stopping hormonal therapy.The time duration of hormone therapy ranged from 5 to 15 months,with an average time of 7.2 months.34 (68％) cases had a PSA elevation again to restart hormonal therapy.There was no significant difference in percentage of cases of stopping hormone therapy and in time duration of hormonal therapy for the first cycle.Instead,there were significant differences in stable phase after first cycle hormonal therapy between two groups (27.2 months vs.17.7 months;P ＜ 0.001).When analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve,there was no significant difference in cancer-specific survival rate and overall survival rate.There were significant differences in Re-hormonal therapy free survival (P =0.002),bone metastasis free survival (P =0.04) and CRPC free survival(P =0.005).Conclusions Compared with intermittent hormonal therapy alone,125I particle implantation brachytherapy combined with intermittent hormonal therapy could prolong the hormonal sensitive time in moderate and high risk nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients and control the progress of the prostate cancer.