Interstitial radiation therapy with 125I seeds in unresectable local tumour recurrence in differentiated and non-differentiated thyroid carcinomas without uptake of radioiodine

The use of interstitial radiation therapy in the treatment of local recurrence of anaplastic and other carcinomas of the thyroid is discussed on the basis of four cases. 125I seeds were used except in 1 case. All tumours showed no uptake of radioiodine and could not be completely removed by surgery. In three patients local control of the tumour was achieved (longest follow-up 41 month); one patient died 2 months after therapy due to local recurrence. (Authors)