Radioactive iodine particles, also known as iodine-125 particle implants, are a type of tiny radioactive particles implanted into the human body to treat tumors. The core of these small particles is the radioactive isotope iodine-125, which is plated on the surface of silver wires and encapsulated in thin titanium alloy tubes.
With an outer diameter of only 0.6 or 0.8mm and a length of only 4.5mm, these particles do not cause any significant space-occupying effect after implantation in the body, nor do they induce significant inflammatory reactions due to tissue incompatibility.
Under the guidance of specialized trained doctors and imaging equipment, radioactive iodine-125 particles are accurately implanted into the interior of tumors according to scientific calculations and layouts, achieving radiation therapy for tumors. Particle implantation combines the advantages of tumor radiotherapy and minimally invasive interventions and has been increasingly recognized by the international medical community.
Advantages of Particle Implantation for Treating Tumors
As we know, radiotherapy is one of the "three pillars" of tumor treatment. However, traditional external beam radiotherapy has a large irradiation range, and high-energy rays must pass through the skin and normal tissues before reaching the tumor. Therefore, the dose reaching the tumor is relatively small. To reduce damage to normal tissues, only fractionated, short-term irradiation can be performed, which can only treat a portion of cancer cells during the tumor proliferation cycle, limiting its effectiveness.
In contrast, particle implantation provides close-range radiotherapy. Radiation does not need to pass through normal tissues but can continuously and effectively irradiate tumor tissues at a close range, maximizing damage to tumor tissues while sparing normal tissues from harm or causing only minimal damage. This improves the accuracy and effectiveness of radiotherapy, while minimizing its toxic side effects.
Characteristics of Particle Implantation for Treating Tumors
1. Long Duration of Action: A single implant can continuously emit low-energy gamma rays for 6-8 months, continuously killing tumors.
2. Short Radiation Distance: Effective only within a close range of 1.7cm, causing minimal damage to surrounding normal tissues.
3. Minimal Side Effects: Virtually no side effects such as decreased white blood cells or bone marrow suppression.
4. Strong Effectiveness: Cumulative radiation dose can be 2-3 times that of external radiotherapy.
5. Precision: Implantation into the tumor's interior according to its size and morphology overcomes the effects of organ movement, avoiding damage to normal tissues.
Who Is Suitable for Particle Implantation Therapy?
1. Patients with untreated primary tumors.
2. Patients who refuse or are unsuitable for surgery.
3. Patients with poor or failed results from external radiotherapy.
4. Patients with insufficient external radiotherapy doses requiring local dose supplementation.
5. Patients with residual tumors during surgery or tumors located too close to surgical margins (<0.5cm).
6. Cancer patients who cannot tolerate surgery for postoperative recurrence.
7. Patients with metastatic tumor lesions or isolated tumor metastases after surgery, losing the value of surgery.
How to Avoid Harm from Particle Implantation to the Body
Due to the radioactivity of iodine-125 particles, there is inevitably a risk of harming human health, and it is normal for patients to be concerned. National authorities strictly control and regulate this treatment, limiting qualifications for medical institutions and personnel involved.
The particle implantation project at the Guangzhou Royal Lee Cancer Center is carried out by doctors who have received specialized training and strictly follow patient selection criteria based on tumor nature, size, and location, as well as meticulous preoperative planning. By following standardized procedures under imaging guidance, appropriate doses of iodine-125 particles are accurately implanted into predetermined tumor sites, followed by validation and necessary follow-up procedures according to protocols.
Through these standardized management practices and professional handling, the potential harm from particle implantation to the body can be minimized.
What Preparations Are Required Before Particle Implantation?
Particle implantation therapy is a novel treatment that must be strictly controlled. To achieve optimal treatment results and prevent adverse consequences, doctors will require you to cooperate with some related preparations, including:
1. Undergoing relevant imaging examinations, especially local imaging examinations of lesions, to meet the needs of treatment plan formulation.
2. Signing relevant documents, such as informed consent forms for surgery and consent forms for permanent implantation of human materials, which represent consensus between doctors and patients in combating tumors.
3. If there are any areas of misunderstanding, you should consult with the doctor in a timely manner to improve cooperation. If consensus cannot be reached, you can sign a "disagreement" and discuss acceptable alternative therapies.
4. Trusting the doctor. After reaching an agreement, you should promptly undergo particle implantation treatment according to the plan without repeated hesitation to avoid treatment delays or loss of particle effectiveness.
5. Undergoing relevant hematological examinations, preoperative needle injections, and other preoperative preparations as required by the medical staff.
What Should Be Noticed During Particle Implantation?
1. Adjusting body position to achieve a balance between facilitating particle implantation and comfort. If the position feels particularly uncomfortable, you should promptly report it to the doctor for adjustment.
2. Avoiding movement to prevent affecting the accuracy of implantation and subsequent treatment effects. Significant movements may also pose a risk of falling from the operating table.
3. Avoiding panic. During the particle implantation process, some degree of discomfort such as pain from puncture and injection is unavoidable. Doctors will undertake relevant prevention, monitoring, and treatment. Being nervous and panicked will only worsen the discomfort.
4. Providing timely feedback. If you feel uncomfortable, there is no need to hide it. Timely communication will facilitate doctors in promptly adjusting treatment based on feedback and monitoring indicators.
What Should Be Noticed After Particle Implantation?
After particle implantation, medical staff will escort patients along designated safe routes to specialized particle treatment rooms to prevent potential harm from radiation to unrelated individuals.
Therefore, patients should comply with treatment monitoring arrangements as required by the medical staff and refrain from going out randomly. They should wear radiation protection equipment at the particle implantation site to minimize potential impacts on accompanying caregivers, nurses, and other relevant personnel. Activities in the ward should be limited to what the body can tolerate without causing particle displacement, with specific degrees subject to guidance from medical staff.