International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 1991
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialExternal irradiation followed by an interstitial high activity iodine-125 implant "boost" in the initial treatment of malignant gliomas: NCOG study 6G-82-2.
Between January 1982 and January 1990, 107 patients with unifocal, circumscribed malignant gliomas participated in a non-randomized trial testing brachytherapy in their initial treatment. Focal external irradiation (6000 cGy) was combined with an implant of high-activity iodine-125 (5000-6000 cGy) and six courses of procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine. Of the 101 evaluable patients, 63 received implants. ⋯ Those treated for glioblastoma multiforme had a mean Karnofsky Performance Score of 86% (range 60-100%) at 1 month and 75% (range 60-100%) at 24 months. The quality of life of treated patients appears to be satisfactory. On the basis of comparisons with previous studies, we conclude that a brachytherapy "boost" after external irradiation may be valuable for some patients with glioblastoma multiforme but not for those with non-glioblastoma anaplastic gliomas.