Experimental work where Tm-170 LDR seeds and
one HDR source were used to treat cancer on rats is described. Experiments were
done with Lewis rats, carrying tumor developed from implantation of CNS-1 Rat
Brain Tumor Astrocytoma cells, under the thigh skin. 75% of both HDR and LDR
treated rats were completely cured.
I-125 seeds experiments were done as a
control, only 8.3% were cured with a similar photon dose. The dose due to beta radiation is very significant and was the main reason for the treatment
success.
Tm-170 seeds and a source were developed and
tested for brachytherapy. The two common brachytherapy methods were used in the
present work; permanent implantation, or low dose rate, LDR, where low activity
seeds are implanted and remain inside the tumor, and temporary implantation of
a high dose rate (HDR) source, where a high activity source stays inside the
tumor for a short time and then removed
