Current radiotherapeutic approaches to pancreatic cancer
Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is not a radioresistant neoplasm, as was once believed. The data now suggest that in some instances this cancer may be radiocurable. This fact seems to justify the risk of pancreatic biopsy even in the face of unresectable disease, for it is well known that many benign conditions imitate pancreatic cancer. Clinical benefit from radiation for pancreatic cancer treatment is dose related. Careful delineation of tumor margins, precision treatment planning, and precision dose delivery can minimize damage to adjacent normal tissues. Interstitial implantation and intraoperative electron beam therapy are being studied as methods of accurate dose delivery for pancreatic cancer. Fractionation studies and high LET studies are in embryonic stages. Combined modality regimens may have much to offer in terms of improved palliation and survival for patients with localized adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
- OSTI ID:
- 5345250
- Journal Information:
- Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States), Vol. 47:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARCINOMAS
RADIOTHERAPY
PANCREAS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
INTERNAL IRRADIATION
LET
PATIENTS
RADIATION SOURCE IMPLANTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ENERGY TRANSFER
GLANDS
IMPLANTS
IRRADIATION
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
550604* - Medicine- Unsealed Radionuclides in Therapy- (1980-)
550603 - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man