Stereotactic Interstitial Brachytherapy Using lodine-125 Implant For High Grade Gliomas

Abstract

Malignant glioma is an intractable tumour that is highly resistant to conventional therapies. Unlike most solid tumours that occur elsewhere in the body, malignant glioma does not metastasize to other organs but causes death by progressive local growth. Extensive research devoted to the understanding and improved treatment of malignant gliomas over the past three decades has yielded little real progress; the prognosis remamsgnm. The three maJor modalities of conventional cancer treatment - surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy - are all employed against malignant gliomas.. There is mounting evidence that an extensive resection improves both survival and neurologic function in patients with high grade gliomas. < 86 Extirpation should be the surgical goal in any patient with a malignant glioma. There is convmcmg evidence that radiotherapy improves disease control in patients with malignant gliomas, but it does not eradicate the tumour.<S?) Although radiotherapy extends survival and is the most important non-sirrgical treatment of gliomas, radiosensitizers and radiation enhancers have not augmented the efficacy of conventional radiotherapy.