Re: Strontium eye applicator

[carol marcus <csmarcus@ucla.edu>]

At 08:21 AM 12/23/99 -0600, you wrote:
>At 10:18 PM 12/22/1999 -0600, mark sasser wrote:
>>
>>why do you want to use it on a poor animal! If you
>>want know the Effects Use your self. do you ask the
>>animal if he wants to be used on Him? I am sorry... I
>>feel for you!
>
>>--- marvinturkanis@alum.mit.edu wrote:
>>> Looking for a strontium-90 applicator with an
>>> intensity for 2500 -3500 cGy for veterinary ocular
>>> use.
>********************************************
>December 23, 1999
>Davis, CA
>
>I believe that the applicator is used for treatment of serious pathological
>conditions such as melanoma of the eye. In people melanoma of the eye is
>routinely treated with high energy proton beams. This beats surgical
>removal of the affected eye.
>
>Otto
>
>
>		*****************************************************
>		Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
>              Institute of Toxicology & Environmental Health (ITEH)
>		   (Street address: Building 3792, Old Davis Road)
>		University of California, Davis, CA 95616
>		Phone: 530-752-7754  FAX: 530-758-6140
>		E-mail ograabe@ucdavis.edu
>              *****************************************************
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Dear Radsafers:

Sr-90 "eye" probes are used to stop the growth of pterygia, abnormal fleshy
growths that spread over the eye which can obstruct vision.  These growths
often occur in geographic areas where the eye is subject to excessive dust
or foreign material.

An existing pterygium is surgically removed, and the tissue which gave rise
to the growth is "sterilized" with the radiation from the Sr-90 so that
regrowth is averted.  Sr-90 eye probes are not used to treat eye cancer.  

Some physicians have used the eye probes to treat superficial skin cancers,
and claim good results.  However, NRC made it illegal to do so if one has an
NRC license, claiming that the ACMUI stated that it was not safe or
effective.  In fact, neither the ACMUI nor its Chairman was ever asked this
question.  According to the FDA labeling of the device, it is appropriate to
treat any superficial lesion;  however, NRC has refused to honor 21 CFR
892.5650.  When NRC was repeatedly informed by me that nothing in the FDA
device labeling precluded use for superficial skin cancers, NRC responded in
its usual manner---it refused to answer the letters.  As I was a member of
the ACMUI at the time, AND was Chair of FDA's Radiologic Devices Advisory
Panel, one might think a response would have been appropriate.

Ciao, Carol
<csmarcus@ucla.edu>

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