The application of a three-dimensional visualized seed planning and navigation system in (125)I seed implantation for pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of iodine-125 ((125)I) seed implantation for pancreatic cancer (PC), and preliminarily evaluate the clinical value of a self-developed three-dimensional (3D) visualized seed planning and navigation system in (125)I seed implantation for treatment of PC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our team retrospectively reviewed 25 PC patients who underwent (125)I seed implantation between December 2010 and November 2016. The patients were divided into two groups: 3D visualization preoperative planning group (12 patients, 13 lesions) and two-dimensional (2D) regular group (13 patients, 14 lesions). We compared and analyzed the parameters of the two groups, such as number of needle insertions, one-time treatment success rate, proportion of added seeds, local control rate, rate of complications, rate of pain relief, and the survival rate and risk factors of the two groups. There was no significant difference in clinical data of the two groups. RESULTS: (125)I seed implantation was performed successfully in all PC patients, with no occurrence of serious complications during and after the procedure. The one-time treatment success rate of 3D group (80%) was higher than that of 2D group (45.5%) (P<0.05), and the proportion of added seed number of 3D group was lower than that of 2D group (P<0.05). The local control rate of 3D group (76.9%) was higher than that of 2D group (35.7%) (P<0.05). The survival rate of 3D group was significantly higher than that of 2D group (P=0.026), and the median survival of 2D group vs 3D group was 5.00 vs 10.80 months. The median survival of all 25 patients was 7.10 months (95% confidence interval: 4.43–9.77). The rate of pain relief was 77.8% (7/9) in 2D group and 88.9% (8/9) in 3D group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided, 3D visualized seed planning and navigation system assisted (125)I seed implantation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of PC, with a prolonged survival of patients and better local control of tumor.