CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation for the treatment of refractory malignant tumor accompanied with cancerous pain

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of CT-guided radioactive ¹²⁵I seed implantation in treating refractory malignant tumor associated with cancerous pain. Methods: A total of 43 patients with refractory malignant tumor associated with cancerous pain were treated with CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation treatment. The changes of pain indicators and the short-term effect were respectively evaluated at the 5 points of time (24 h, 3 d, 7 d, 30 d and 90 d after treatment). Results: Technical success of ¹²⁵I seed implantation was achieved in all 43 patients with a success rate of 100%. After the treatment, the numerical rating scale (NRS) scores of pain at each time point were decreased when compared with the preoperative ones (P < 0.01). At 24 h after implantation, the pain remission rate was 67.4% (P < 0.01); at 3 d, 7 d, 30 d and 90 d after ¹²⁵I seed implantation the pain remission rates were 86%, 83.7%, 79.1% and 79.1% respectively (P < 0.01). Evaluation of short-term effect showed that CR was obtained in 4 patients, PR in 16 patients, SD in 17 patients and PD in 6 patients; the overall response rate (RR) was 55.8% and the disease benefit rate (CR+PR+SD) was 83.7%. No statistically significant differences in objective efficacy and benefit existed between patients with different degrees of pain relief (P > 0.05). No severe complications were observed. Conclusion: For the treatment of refractory malignant tumor associated with cancerous pain, CT-guided radioactive ¹²⁵I seed interstitial implantation has some advantages: the onset of effect is rapid, the curative effect lasts longer, no adverse reaction occurs, etc. Therefore, this technique is worthy of further clinical promotion. (authors)