Pathological changes following intracavitary therapy with colloidal au198

Abstract

i m DISTRESSING complications of car-0 cinoinatosis is the involvement of the serosal surfaces, either pleural or peritoneal, with the resultant accumulation of large ainouiits of fluid in these spaces. Frequently, this fluid accuiiiulates rapidly and produces discomfort or impaired function of the struc. tiires that it compresses. A4inong the agents suggested for treatment of these serosal surfaces is radioactive colloidal gold, Au19*, since this has both a suitable half-life and suitable radiation characteristics.4 It possesses relatively lowenergy p particles (0.97 mev.) that have a short range (maximum 3.8 mm. in tissue or water). It has also a low-energy ray (0.41 mev.). T h e half-life, 2.7 days, is suitable for therapeutic use.