Brachytherapy with iridium-192 for bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE: Patients with invasive bladder cancer often need radical cystectomy with its implications on quality of life. Bladder preservation combining surgery and radiotherapy could maintain quality of life without compromising tumor control. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-eight selected patients with different stages of invasive bladder cancer were treated with preoperative external beam radiotherapy in a dosage depending on the tumor stage. Subsequently they underwent surgical exploration with or without partial cystectomy and insertion of source carrier tubes for afterloading with iridium-192. A close follow-up consisted of 3-monthly urine cytology, cystoscopy and yearly CT scan. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (57%) are alive with no evidence of disease. Five patients (18%) have died of non-cancer-related causes without evidence of recurrent tumor. Tumor progression was seen in 7 patients (25%). CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial radiation can result in long-term complete remission in patients with small solitary invasive bladder tumors. The afterloading technique is safe and effective. The selection of patients is the most relevant key to success.     

Treatment of malignant bladder tumors by iridium-192 wiring

Small tumors of the mobile portion of the bladder may be treated by means of interstitial irradiation by iridium-192 wiring. Twenty-six tumors (mostly T₁, but also T₂ and T₃) were treated by this procedure. Good results are attained in 89 per cent of 19 cases followed over three years. This method has the benefit of avoiding irradiation to the surgeon's hands, and of delivering to a specific site a dose of 6,000 rads. No bladder contraction was observed.     

Intracavitary irradiation of renal pyelocalyceal transitional cell carcinoma with iridium-192

A case of multicentric urothelial transitional cell carcinoma is presented, in which the patient underwent a left ureteronephrectomy and in the remaining right kidney recurrent transitional cell carcinoma was found in the inferior calyx. Because this area was accessible via a cutaneous nephrostomy, it was treated with a combination of external beam radiation and intracavitary implantation with iridium-192. The iridium was placed in the vicinity of the tumor using an angiographic procedure. The technique successfully preserved remaining renal parenchyma. The case illustrates how angiography skills and procedures can be applied in a novel brachytherapy application.     

Four year clinical statistics of iridium-192 high dose rate brachytherapy

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and complications of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy using iridium-192 (192Ir) combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients underwent 192Ir HDR brachytherapy combined with EBRT at our institution between February 1999 and December 2003. Of these, 84 patients were analysed in the present study. 192Ir was delivered three times over a period of 2 days, 6 Gy per time, for a total dose of 18 Gy. Interstitial application was followed by EBRT at a dose of 44 Gy. Progression was defined as three consecutive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) rises after a nadir according to the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology criteria. The results were classified into those for all patients and for patients who did not undergo adjuvant hormone therapy. RESULTS: The 4-year overall survival of all patients, the nonadjuvant hormone therapy group (NAHT) and the adjuvant hormone therapy group (AHT) was 87.2%, 100%, and 70.1%, respectively. The PSA progression-free survival rate of all patients, NAHT, and AHT was 82.6%, 92.0%, and 66.6%, respectively. Of all patients, the 4-year PSA progression-free survival rates of PSA<20 and PSA>or=20 groups were 100%, and 46.8%, respectively. According to the T stage classification, PSA progression-free survival rates of T1c, T2, T3, and T4 were 100%, 82.8%, 100%, and 12.1%, respectively. Prostate-specific antigen progression-free survival rates of groups with Gleason scores (GS)<7 and GS>or=7 were 92.8% and 60.1%, respectively. Of NAHT, PSA progression-free survival of PSA<20 was 100% vs 46.8% for PSA>or=20, that of T1c was 100% vs 75% for T2, and that of GS<7 was 100% vs 75% for GS>or=7. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications requiring urgent treatment occurred except cerebellum infarction. CONCLUSIONS: 192Ir HDR brachytherapy combined with EBRT was as effective as radical prostatectomy and had few associated complications.     

Conservative treatment of bladder epitheliomas by partial cystectomy and iridium-192 curietherapy

From 1971 to 1979, 55 patients were treated for bladder cancer at the Henri-Mondor Hospital using a treatment protocol combining low dose pre-operative external beam radiation followed by iliac node dissection, limited partial cystectomy (or sometimes for T1 tumors, a trans-urethral resection) and curietherapy with iridium 192. The 5 year disease free survival was 37/55 (67%). The rate of local recurrences plus second tumors within the bladder was 16% (9/55). These results are compared with other conservative modalities of treatment of bladder cancer.     

Post-operative stereotactic Curie-therapy using the iridium-192 gammamedsr contact irradiation apparatus combined with radio-sensitizers in treating multiform glioblastomas

Summary Experimental investigations on the dimethyl-amino-stilbous carcino-sarcoma of the rat have led to a modified interstitial post-operative Curie-therapy of gliomas in the brain hemispheres following treatment with radio sensitizers. After treatment with the thymine-analogous radio-sensitizers 5-brom-2-desoxyuridine (BUDR) and 5-brom-2-desoxycytidine (BCDR) and desoxyguanosine as well as the antimetabolites 5-fluor-uracile (FU) and methotrexate (Mtx), there is greater incorporation of the thymine analogues in the DNS of the tumour cells. More than any other combination, BUDR and Mtx effectively sensibilizes the tumour cells. Syncavit^® and actinomycine-D are also effective. After radio-sensitizing the post-operative interstitial Curie-therapy was performed using the GammaMed^® iridium-192 contact irradiation apparatus on 133 patients with gliomas. This treatment lengthened postoperative survival times.Presented at the Symposium on Glioblastoma, Graz, October 25, 1975.With the support of the Special Research Field Brain Research and Physiology of the Senses SFB 70, E 3, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bad Godesberg.     

Three-year results of treatment for prostate cancer with low-dose rate temporary iridium-192 brachytherapy

AIM: To report the 3-year treatment results of definitive irradiation by using a temporary interstitial implant with low-dose rate iridium-192 with or without external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. METHODS: One-hundred and forty-three patients with pathologically defined prostate carcinoma were treated from December 1997 to April 2003. The patients were classified into a low-risk group (T2, PSA20 ng/mL or Gleason score>or=7). Low-risk patients were treated with low-dose-rate iridium brachytherapy as monotherapy delivering 70 Gy. High-risk patients were treated with the combination of brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy delivering 40 Gy and 36 Gy, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival rate were analysed. To assess the treatment quality in different periods, PSA progression-free survival rates in late era (year of 2000 and after) and in early era (before 2000) were compared. Morbidity was graded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grading scale. RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen patients were analysed, of which 86 patients underwent monotherapy with an iridium implant, and 33 were treated with the combination of external beam radiotherapy. Twenty-four patients were excluded from the analysis because the classification of risk group did not suit the criteria. The total (n=119) PSA progression-free survival rate at 3 years was 80.3%. The PSA progression-free survival rate at 3 years for the monotherapy group (n=86) and the combination therapy group (n=33) were 78.2% and 86.9%, respectively. There were 23 patients who were followed for more than 36 to 63 months, and, during this period, only 1 patient who received the monotherapy was diagnosed as PSA failure at 50 months. The 3-year PSA progression-free survival rate of monotherapy in late era was significantly higher than that in early era; however, no significant difference was seen in the combination treatment. Morbidity for the combination treatment was low; however, for the monotherapy, three patients developed severe rectal ulcers, and colostomies were made. CONCLUSIONS: The PSA progression-free survival rate after low-dose rate iridium-192 brachytherapy with or without external beam radiotherapy can be satisfactory and longer follow up is necessary to compare the efficacy of other treatments.     

Endoscopic endoprosthesis in inoperable cancer of the esophagus

The author describes technical characteristics and results of endoprosthesing in 24 patients with inoperable cancer of the esophagus or cardioesophageal zone which can be used for substantiation of indications, contraindications and risk of complications. Based on his positive experiences with endoprosthesis of the esophagus the author makes a conclusion that this operation is minimally traumatic, allows the reestablishment of enteral nutrition and avoidance of gastrostomy.     

Radiation control in the intensive care unit for high intensity iridium-192 brain implants

The authors report a rare case of a cerebellar ganglioglioma. A review of 12 previously reported cases and our case suggest that surgical removal of this neoplasm carries a good prognosis.     

A system for focal intracavitary irradiation of bladder cancer with remote iridium-192 afterloading.

An afterloading system for remote-control focal intracavitary irradiation of bladder cancer is presented. With 192Ir as radiation source, we demonstrated the practicability of the method in 23 chinchilla rabbits. A system for focal intracavitary irradiation of bladder cancer in humans was developed. A guiding tube with an inflatable balloon led to a reproducible vesical diameter. The intravesical part of the tube was shielded with lead and had a slit for focal radiation exposure. Three variant guiding tubes with different positions of the slit were designed to allow irradiation of any part of the bladder. The application is planned in patients with locally advanced tumors who refuse radical cystectomy or who are medically inoperable.     

High-dose rate iridium-192 brachytherapy combined with external beam radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We report our technique and also preliminary results in the cases with localized prostate cancer treated by the combination of high-dose rate Iridium-192 (HDR-Ir192) brachytherapy and external irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1999 to August 2000, 17 patients were treated by the combination of HDR-Ir 192 and external beam. The mean age of patients was 72 years (range, 48-81 years). The clinical stage was B1 in 5, B2 in 7 and C (no cancer with seminal vesicle) in 5 cases. Of 10 patients without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, the median initial pretreatment PSA was 15.3 ng/ml (6.93-222.32 ng/ml). The treatment was given by HDR-Ir 192 brachytherapy (6 Gy x 3 times/2 days) and external beam irradiation (40 or 45 Gy). The brachytherapy was given using TRUS guided percutaneously inserted temporary needles with a high dose rate remote afterloading control. Local control was evaluated by digital rectal examination. TRUS-guided biopsies and serum PSA evaluations. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 14 months, with a median of 8 months. RESULTS: In 4 (40.0%) of 10 patients without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy the level of serum PSA was decreased to less than 4.0 ng/ml within 3 months after the therapy. The effective grade in the biopsy specimens of 8 patients without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy was Grade Ob in 4, Grade 1 in 1, Grade 3 in 3 cases at 3 months after the therapy. No severe intra- or peri-operative complications occurred. CONCLUSION: The combined radiotherapy treatment is safe and effective for use in the patients with localized prostate cancer. However, more comprehensive studies involving long-term follow-up and great numbers of the cases with localized prostate cancer treated by the combination of HDR-Ir 192 brachytherapy and external irradiation will be necessary to determine whether this therapy contributes to better prognosis.     

肝门部胆管癌192例外科治疗及疗效分析

目的 探讨肝门部胆管癌的诊断方法和外科治疗的疗效。方法 对１９８４年至１９９９年收治的１９２例肝门部胆管癌的临床特点,诊断,手术方式和随访结果进行回顾分析。结果 本组ＭＲＣＰ对肝门部肿物显示率１００％（４４／４４）。１５３例行手术治疗,其中探查术１０例,内、外引流术８８例,均于术后３－１５个月死亡。切除术５３例,全肝切除原位肝移植术２例。手术切除率为３６.０％（５５／１５３）,行根治性切除３８例,中位生存期为３１个月,姑息性切除１７例,中位生存期为１３个月。结论 ＭＲＣＰ可以确定肝门部胆管癌病变部位及范围。术中胆道切断端应行冰冻病理检查。经根治切除术可显著延长患者生存期和改善生存质量。对于ＢismuthⅢ型、Ⅳ型无肝外转移者,行全肝切除、肝移植术不失为一种有效的治疗方法。     

Treatment of prostatic carcinoma by pelvic lymphadenectomy, temporary iridium-192 implant, and external irradiation

Forty patients with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate have been treated by a combination of pelvic lymphadenectomy, temporary Iridium-192 implantation, and external irradiation with follow-up of one to five years. 192Ir implant delivers a minimum tumor dose of 3,000 rad to A2 and B1 lesions and 3,500 to B2 and C lesions. Two weeks later patients receive 4,000 rad of external irradiation to the prostate over four to five weeks. Patients with pelvic nodal metastases receive 5,000 rad to the pelvis with a midline block at 4,000 rad. All patients have had a complete local response as judged by clinical criteria. Prostate needle biopsies have been performed on 16 patients one year or less after treatment, with 15 biopsies benign. The technique appears to offer excellent local control of prostatic adenocarcinoma with acceptably low morbidity.     

内镜置入胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的 探讨通过内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2004年7月至2009年7月成都军区总医院收治的73例肝门部胆管癌患者行内镜胆道金属支架置入术的操作成功率、减黄有效率、支架通畅时间和生存时间以及术后并发症.结果 支架置入成功70例,3例失败.其中单金属支架置入62例,双侧金属支架置入3例,金属支架+塑料支架置人5例.减黄有效率为87%(61/70),中位支架通畅时间为190 d,中位生存时间为246 d.术后发生胆管炎7例,胰腺炎3例,出血2例.结论 内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌创伤小、减黄效果好,可作为无法手术切除的肝门部胆管癌患者解除胆道恶性梗阻的首选治疗方法.     

内镜置入胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的 探讨通过内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2004年7月至2009年7月成都军区总医院收治的73例肝门部胆管癌患者行内镜胆道金属支架置入术的操作成功率、减黄有效率、支架通畅时间和生存时间以及术后并发症.结果 支架置入成功70例,3例失败.其中单金属支架置入62例,双侧金属支架置入3例,金属支架+塑料支架置人5例.减黄有效率为87%(61/70),中位支架通畅时间为190 d,中位生存时间为246 d.术后发生胆管炎7例,胰腺炎3例,出血2例.结论 内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌创伤小、减黄效果好,可作为无法手术切除的肝门部胆管癌患者解除胆道恶性梗阻的首选治疗方法.     

内镜置入胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的 探讨通过内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2004年7月至2009年7月成都军区总医院收治的73例肝门部胆管癌患者行内镜胆道金属支架置入术的操作成功率、减黄有效率、支架通畅时间和生存时间以及术后并发症.结果 支架置入成功70例,3例失败.其中单金属支架置入62例,双侧金属支架置入3例,金属支架+塑料支架置人5例.减黄有效率为87%(61/70),中位支架通畅时间为190 d,中位生存时间为246 d.术后发生胆管炎7例,胰腺炎3例,出血2例.结论 内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌创伤小、减黄效果好,可作为无法手术切除的肝门部胆管癌患者解除胆道恶性梗阻的首选治疗方法.     

192例男性创伤性尿道狭窄的腔内治疗

作者采用腔内手术治疗创伤性尿道狭窄，观察其疗效。方法：本组１９２例创伤性尿道狭窄，其中前尿道狭窄４７例，后尿道狭窄１４５例。采用窥视下液电效应、冷切、微波、电切等方法治疗。对长段后尿道闭锁，采用经膀胱后尿道置入探条及肛指引导，液电效应或微波闭锁瘢痕中央打孔会师。结果：９４例一次手术即获得成功，３４例术后行尿道扩张术３～６次，５０例再次行腔内手术１～３次，随访３～６０个月（平均２９．３月），有效率达９７．４％。作者认为腔内手术治疗创伤性尿道狭窄创伤小、并发症少，成功率较高，效果良好。     

Endoscopic palliation of inoperable hilar biliary carcinoma with self-expanding metal stents

AIM: Prosthetic palliation of patients with malignant hilar stenoses shows particular difficulties, especially in advanced lesions. This is a prospective report of the efficacy of endoscopically inserted single metal stent for complex malignant biliary hilar obstruction. METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive patients were recruited. Contrast injection was deliberately limited to the distal end of the malignant tumor stenosis. A single metal stent was inserted across the stricture into the duct that was technically easiest for the drainage. RESULTS: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 59 of 61 (96.7%) patients. In 3 (4.9%) cases stent malfunction occurred. Successful drainage was achieved in 59 (96.7%) patients and complete resolution of jaundice was achieved in 86% of cases. Early complications included 3 (4.9%) cases of cholangitis and 2 (3.2%) cases of stent occlusion. Late occlusion of the stent occurred in 14 patients (22.9%), including 10 (16.3%) cases of cholangitis and 1 case of liver abscess. Median stent patency was 169 days. Median patient survival was 140 days. CONCLUSION: Metal stent insertion is safe, feasible, and achieves adequate drainage in the great majority of patients with non-resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.     

Cosmetic results of early breast carcinoma treated with wide local excision, external beam radiotherapy and iridium-192 boost

Cosmetic results of 80 patients with axillary lymph node negative or unknown T1 and T2 carcinoma of the breast who were treated with wide local excision, external beam radiotherapy and iridium-192 boost, were evaluated by the patient and the radiotherapist at 18-36 months. Their overall cosmetic results were assessed as good, very good or excellent by 80% of the patients. The radiotherapist's assessment was similar but in general the patients score was more favourable. After a follow-up of 24-72 months recurrence was found in only one patient at 40 months. This approach offers good cosmesis with low local recurrence rates in early breast carcinoma patients with negative axillary lymph nodes.