Metal stent plus radioactive ¹²⁵I seed implantation for the treatment of airway stenosis caused by pulmonary carcinoma: clinical comparison with metal stent plus radiotherapy

Objective: To compare the therapeutic results and adverse effects of metal stent plus radioactive ¹²⁵I seed implantation with those of metal stent plus radiotherapy in treating airway stenosis caused by pulmonary carcinoma. Methods: A total of 46 patients with pulmonary carcinoma were divided into the study group (n = 23) and the control group (n = 23). Metal stent plus radioactive ¹²⁵I seed implantation was employed for the patients of the study group, while metal stent plus radiotherapy was adopted for the patients of the control group. The 6-month, one-year and two-year survival rate, the interval time of dyspnea, the reduction ratio of tumor volume, the frequency of bronchoscopic treatment and the hospitalization days within two years, the post-treatment adverse reactions, such as gastrointestinal reactions, leukopenia, etc. were recorded. Results: No statistically significant difference in 6-month survival rate existed between the two groups; the one-year and two-year survival rates of the study group were higher than those of the control group. The reduction ratio of tumor volume in the study group was higher than that in the control group, and the interval time of dyspnea in the study group was longer than that in the control group. Within two years after the treatment, the times of bronchoscopic treatment and the hospitalization days of the study group were less than those of the control group. Conclusion: In treating airway stenosis caused by pulmonary carcinoma, metal stent plus radioactive ¹²⁵I seed implantation is superior to metal stent plus radiotherapy. (authors)