Continuous low-dose-rate radiation of radionuclide phosphorus-32 for hemangiomas

Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2012 Apr;27(3):198-203. doi: 10.1089/cbr.2011.0995. Epub 2012 Feb 24.

Abstract

The study goal was to clarify the therapeutic effect and the absorbed dose of radionuclide phosphorus-32 for skin hemangiomas and the consequent risk of side effects in these patients. Phosphorus-32 is an β emitter and is used for skin hemangioma treatment. In comparison with the few Gy per minute of the linear accelerators, the dose rate of phosphorus-32 for hemangiomas is much <1 Gy/hour; so, the latter is called low-dose-rate radiation. To achieve the therapeutic dose, continuous hours or days of radiation is necessary. For strawberry hemangiomas, the phosphorus-32 applicator was tightly placed on the lesion site for several hours until reaching therapeutic dose. The absorbed dose was estimated by radiochromic films. The absorbed dose of phosphorus-32 irradiation declined exponentially with a depth from 0 to 2.5 mm. Of the 316 patients with strawberry hemangiomas, the lesion disappeared completely within 3 months after one-time treatment in 259 cases (82%). For cavernous hemangiomas, 370KBq phosphorus-32 colloid was injected into the hemangioma each square centimeter, and the absorbed radiation was estimated by theoretical calculation. Forty-two of the 58 patients with cavernous hemangiomas (72%) had lesions that completely disappeared within 3 months after receiving one to six treatments. Thus, the phosphorus-32 for strawberry hemangiomas and the chromium phosphate-32 colloid for cavernous hemangiomas were clearly efficacious.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chromium Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Female
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes / administration & dosage*
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Skin Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chromium Compounds
  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes