[Radioactivity seeds interstitial brachytherapy treating malignant salivary gland tumors].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To detect the efficacy of (125)I radioactive seeds implanting treating malignant salivary gland tumors. METHODS: Forty-three patients with malignant salivary gland tumors of head neck were treated with (125)I radioactivity seeds interstitial brachytherapy at Peking University Stomatologic Hospital between 2001 and 2008. These patients were implanted with (125)I radioactivity seeds with the dosage of 120 to 160 Gy. The treatment response, local control rate and survival rate were evaluated and the adverse events observed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients had complete remission (CR)of their tumors, and seven patients partial remission (PR), The response rate was 83.7%. The patients were followed up for 8 to 48 months (median 21 months). The local control rate was 79%, and total survival rate 76.7%. No serious side radiotherapeutic effect was observed. CONCLUSION: Radioactivity seeds interstitial brachytherapy is an effective form of treatment for patients with unresectable malignant salivary gland tumors.