Clinical analysis of ¹²⁵I brachytherapy alone for 24 recurrent parotid gland carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ¹²⁵I brachytherapy alone for the treatment of recurrent parotid gland carcinoma. Methods: Recurrent parotid gland carcinoma patients (n = 24) treated by ¹²⁵I brachytherapy alone between 2006 and 2013 at Peking University Hospital of Stomatology were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent surgery or radiotherapy. The local control rate, survival rate, and side effects were evaluated. Results: The median follow-up time was 21 months (range, 4-59 months). Among the 24 patients, 6 had local failure and 10 died during the follow-up period. The 1-and 3-year overall survival rates, progression-free survival rates, local control rates were 74.8% and 39.3%, 74.8% and 31.5%, 82.0% and 69.4%, respectively. No grade 3 or over radiation injury was found. Conclusions: ¹²⁵I seed brachytherapy alone could provide an alternative treatment method for inoperable recurrent parotid gland carcinoma patients. (authors)