Ovarian cancer

1.4.3 Ovarian cancer

The overall 5-year survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer is as low as 35-
38%. Initially, intraperitoneal 198Au-colloid was used as an adjunct in the treatment of
ovarian cancer, but this resulted in a significant number of major complications and
associated deaths [77]. Subsequently 32P became the radioisotope of choice because of
a higher β energy compared with 198Au. Vergote et al. [45] used 211At-microspheres
for the treatment of mice with ovarian cancer. This was prepared by copolymerization
of glycidyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate with a diameter of 1.8
μm. The α-emitters such as 211At, 212Bi and 212Pb may be a useful addition to future
treatment of small clusters of cancer cells.

1.4.4 Other cancers

Intra-arterial administration of 90Y-microspheres has been carried out in the spleen
[78]. Of nine patients with lymphosarcoma, five manifested no clinical response after
splenic irradiation. One patient who complained of weakness, rapid fatigue and
anorexia, had relief of all symptoms after splenic irradiation.