Effect of Neoadjuvant Iodine-125 Brachytherapy Upon Resection of Glioma

Abstract

Background: A more extensive surgical resection of glioma contributes to improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). However, some of the patients lost the chance of surgical resection when the tumor involves critical structures. Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of neoadjuvant 125I brachytherapy followed by total gross resection for initially inoperable glioma.Methods:Six patients diagnosed with inoperable glioma due to invasion of eloquent areas, bi-hemispheric diffusion, or large tumor volume received 125I brachytherapy. Surgical resection was performed when the tumor shrank, allowing a safe resection, assessed by the neurosurgeons. Patients were followed up after surgery.Results:Tumor shrinkage after adjuvant 125I brachytherapy enabled a total gross resection of all six patients. Four patients were still alive at the last follow-up, with the longest survival time of more than 50 months, two of which returned to a normal life with the KPS of 100. Another two patients got a neurological injury with the KPS of 80 and 50, respectively. One patient with grade Ⅱ glioma died 34 months, and another patient with grade Ⅳ glioma died 40 months later after the combined therapy.Conclusions: In the present study, the results demonstrated that 125I brachytherapy enabled a complete resection of patients with initially unresectable gliomas. 125I brachytherapy may offer a proper neoadjuvant therapy method for glioma.