Objective To evaluate the clinical value of CT guided interstitial ¹²⁵I seed implantation treatment of refractory lung cancer.

Methods A total of 35 cases of refractory lung cancer patients underwent ¹²⁵I seed implantation treatment. Preoperative treatment planning system was used to calculate the distribution of radioactive source, then 2.855-3.087 MBq ¹²⁵I seeds were implanted into the tumor tissues intraoperatively. Plane implantation of the particles were made every 0.5-1.0 cm. Matched peripheral dose was 150-180 Gy, and 10-120 particles were implanted for each patient, who would be followed up by CT to explore their efficacies two months later.

Results Of the 35 patients, there were complete remission 4 cases, partial remission 27 cases, stable disease 3 cases, and progressive disease 1 cases. The objective response rate was 88.57%. Serious intraoperative and postoperative pneumothorax occurred in 5 patients, among whom transference cure was found 3-10 days later after their closed thoracic drainage, and 7 mild pneumothorax patients healed without more treatment. After follow-up it was found that most toxic reactions were mild and tolerable, and no severe complications were reported like hemoptysis or radiation pneumonia.

Conclusion It is effective, less inasie and of low complication rate in CT guided interstitial ¹²⁵I seed implantation treatment of advanced refractory lung cancer.