CT-guided iodine-125 brachytherapy is an effective palliative treatment for the right lower paratracheal lymph nodes metastasis previously treatment failure

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of iodine-125 brachytherapy as a treatment for right lower paratracheal lymph node metastasis following unsuccessful prior therapies.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent iodine-125 brachytherapy for right lower paratracheal lymph node metastasis was conducted. The study included 24 patients who met the predefined criteria. Iodine-125 seeds were implanted under CT guidance, and treatment planning was performed using a treatment planning system. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR), while overall survival (OS) and complications were secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

The ORR was 87.5%, with 4 patients achieving complete response (CR) and 17 patients achieving partial response (PR). The mean diameter of metastatic lymph nodes significantly reduced from 40.21 ± 6.66 mm before treatment to 12.25 ± 9.27 mm at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). The median OS was 14.70 months, with 1-year and 2-year survival rates of 78.9% and 20.9%, respectively. Clinical symptoms significantly improved, as indicated by increased Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) scores. Complications were manageable, with no procedure-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

Iodine-125 brachytherapy demonstrated promising efficacy and safety as an alternative treatment for right lower paratracheal lymph node metastasis after unsuccessful prior therapies.