Radioisotopes in Malignancies in Children

Abstract

Of 1,500 children undergoing brain scanning, approximately 90% with low-grade cerebellar astrocytomas and 45% with medulloblastoma will have positive scans. In the supratentorial region, 85% to 90% of patients with highly malignant gliomas (grade 3-4), 15% to 20% of patients with low-grade gliomas (grade 1-2), 65% with optic glioma, and 30% with symptoms or signs, or both, of infiltration by acute leukemia, will have positive scans. Among 800 children having liver scans, primary lesions (hepatoma) were found in 100% of proven cases; and metastatic foci, in approximately 85% of those with proven liver metastases. The liver scan was useful in outlining liver volume for radiotherapeutic management. At routine liver scanning, a spleen scan was obtained to outline splenic cysts in 100% of children examined. With newer isotopes, scanning is applicable now as a routine method of survey in children.