Percutaneous computed tomography-guided iodine-125 seeds implantation for unresectable pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: To examine the safety and clinical efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided radioactive iodine-125 (I-125) seeds implantation for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 26 patients with pathologically confirmed unresectable pancreatic cancer underwent percutaneous CT-guided I-125 seeds implantation. Part of them received transarterial chemotherapy and/or percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage before or after seeds implantation. The primary endpoints were the objective response rates, local control rates, and overall survival. RESULTS: CT scan 2 months after treatment revealed complete response (CR) in 8 patients, partial response (PR) in 9 patients. Overall response rate (CR + PR) is 65.38%. Local control rate was 88.46%. Median survival of the whole group was 15.3 months, whereas for Stage Ill and IV was 17.6 and 9.1 months, respectively. The estimated 1-year survival was 30.77%. CONCLUSIONS: We consider CT-guided I-125 seeds implantation as a safe, effective, uncomplicated treatment for unresectable pancreatic cancer.