High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy for Palliation

Radiation treatments through a catheter that can be passed down the esophagus or bronchial tubes. Called high dose rate because the wire (Iridium source) is so radioactive that the treatments take only a few minutes

 

HDR and Lung Cancer
   700cGy X 3, 3 weeks apart
   74% response (69% objective) in lit 50 -80% response
   7% fatal hemorrhage

HDR for Palliation in  Esophagus Cancer
Treatment Mortality Relief Survival
surgery 11-36% 25 -82% 5 - 6 mos
HDR 0% 90 -100% 2 - 9 mos
intubation 0 -18% 55 - 90% 3 -6 mos
laser 0 - 2% 55 -100% 4 - 9 mos