Intraoperative cobalt-60 treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

An intraoperative remote afterloading endocurietherapy (ECT) technique with high-activity 60cobalt (60Co) for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GM) is described. The technique can be used for initial management of the unresectable tumor or for retreatment of patients with recurrent tumor who have been treated previously with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. We present the technique, tumor response, radiographic findings, and survival of 38 glioblastoma patients treated with intraoperative 60Co.