Iranian researchers have managed to treat 55 people with eye and brain tumors, using internal radiation therapy.
The researchers at Science and Technology Research Institute of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) have managed to implant iodine-125 seed in 55 patients suffering eye and brain tumors, taking effective steps towards treatment of the disease.
Dr. Shahab Sheibani, the lead author of the study, said the project names producing iodine-125 brachytherapy seeds with the aim of expanding the method of brachytherapy in Iran.
"Iodine-125 seeds are one of the mostly used ones in the world, and we managed to build its home-made model,” he added.
"We could implant iodine-125 brachytherapy seeds successfully for treatment of brain and eye tumors.”
Over 300 seeds have been produced in the study, Sheibani.
Iodine-120 is a radiation producing material whose gama energy reaches 30 kg electron-volt, he said, adding therefore, its energy range is short and can be used as internal implant in case of cancer tumors.
He said using brachytherapy healthy tissues are least damaged.