Background and aim: Pain is a prevalent and serious problem in patients with cancer. This study aimed to investigate the clinical value of the implantation of radioactive particle 125I in treating cancer and its pain.
Materials and methods: From February 2014 to February 2015, 38 patients with malignant tumor received computed tomography (CT)-guided 125I radioactive particle implantation to treat cancer pain in this hospital. Before surgery, the lesions were calculated by brachytherapy treatment planning system (TPS) to get the local number of particles that are required for implantation. For a period after implantation, TPS was used again to assess the effect of treatment. The 38 patients received 6-month follow-up, and the CT scan was used to evaluate the local tumor. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain.
Results: The curative effect was evaluated at postoperative 2, 4, and 6 months, and the curative effect was 34.2%, 73.68%, and 89.47%, respectively. The preoperative VAS score of the 38 patients was 5.48 ± 2.50 (13 cases of mild pain, 19 cases of moderate pain, and 6 cases of severe pain), and their pain was improved in different degrees after operation.
Conclusions: CT-guided 125I radioactive particle implantation is a safe and effective treatment for cancer and its pain.
Keywords: 125I radioactive particle; brachytherapy; cancer pain; implantation treatment.