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Computer applications to radioactive-seed: Brain-tumor implants

Journal Article · · Comput. Med. Imag. Grap.; (United States)
Malignant brain tumors, in general, and anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme in particular, have been highly refractory to conventional treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and external-beam irradiation. Although better local control can be achieved with high-dose, external beam irradiation, necrosis of normal brain tissue reduces the quality of life and survival. In order to localize the radiation dose given to brain tumors, the temporary implantation of /sup 125/I and /sup 192/Ir seeds is undergoing clinical trials at several medical centers. Computers play a key role in this treatment modality: in addition to being essential for image reconstruction of CT scans, a computer is used to reconstruct a tumor volume from outlined regions on individual cuts; a programable calculator is used in conjunction with a stereotaxic head holder to obtain the coordinates of the radioactive seeds; a radiation-therapy, treatment-planning computer is used to optimize the radioactive-seed positions and strengths, and to generate the corresponding dose distribution.
Research Organization:
Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (USA)
OSTI ID:
5876291
Journal Information:
Comput. Med. Imag. Grap.; (United States), Journal Name: Comput. Med. Imag. Grap.; (United States) Vol. 13:3; ISSN CMIGE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English