Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma – A Review

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. Despite improvements in imaging, surgical techniques, chemotherapy agents, and radiation techniques, the prognosis for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains poor. Traditionally, radiotherapy (RT) has been utilized as neo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Luciana Caravatta, Gabriella Macchia, Francesco Deodato, Marco Felicetti, Francesco Cellini, Antonella Ciabattoni, Milly Buwenge, Vincenzo Picardi, Savino Cilla, Andrea Scapati, Vincenzo Valentini, Alessio G. Morganti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Medical Journal 2013-10-01
Series:European Medical Journal Oncology
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Online Access:http://emjreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/INTENSITY-MODULATED-RADIOTHERAPY-IN-THE-TREATMENT-OF-PANCREATIC-ADENOCARCINOMA-A-REVIEW-1.pdf
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Summary:Pancreatic cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. Despite improvements in imaging, surgical techniques, chemotherapy agents, and radiation techniques, the prognosis for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains poor. Traditionally, radiotherapy (RT) has been utilized as neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or definitive treatment, and represents an important therapeutic option in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a more recent RT technique, has the potential to deliver an adequate dose to the tumour volume with a minimal dose to the surrounding critical structures such as duodenum, small intestine, liver, kidneys, and spinal cord. This article provides a review about the role of IMRT in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, concerning clinical outcomes such as toxicity, local control, and overall survival.
ISSN:2054-619X