A Comparison of Gastrointestinal Toxicities between Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy and Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is considered the treatment option for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, but accompanying gastrointestinal toxicities are the most common complication. With the introduction of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), CCRT-related adverse events are expected to diminish. Here, we evaluated the benefits of radiation modalities by comparing gastrointestinal toxicities between 3-D CRT and IMRT. METHODS: Patients who received CCRT between July 2010 and June 2012 in Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, were enrolled prospectively. The patients underwent upper endoscopy before and 1 month after CCRT. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were enrolled during the study period. The radiotherapy modalities delivered included 3D-CRT (n=40) and IMRT (n=44). The median follow-up period from the start of CCRT was 10.6 months (range, 3.8 to 29.9 months). The symptoms of dyspepsia, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea did not differ between the groups. Upper endoscopy revealed significantly more gastroduodenal ulcers in the 3-D CRT group (p=0.003). The modality of radiotherapy (3D-CRT; odds ratio [OR], 11.67; p=0.011) and tumor location (body of pancreas; OR, 11.06; p=0.009) were risk factors for gastrointestinal toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT is associated with significantly fewer gastroduodenal injuries among patients treated with CCRT for pancreatic cancer.

Is the Use of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Beneficial for Pancreatic Cancer Patients?

No abstract available.

Spinal cord compression after radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine analogue therapy in advanced malignant insulinoma

Malignant insulinomas are frequently diagnosed at a late stage. Medical management is necessary to slow progression of the disease and control of hypoglycemic symptoms when cure by surgical treatment is not possible. Multimodal treatment, in these cases, has been used with variable clinical response. We describe a 68-yr-old woman who presented response failure to usual treatment and was alternatively treated with radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine ([131I]-MIBG) analogue therapy with development of neurologic complications. We also present a review of the current role of [131I]-MIBG treatment in insulinomas.

Fiducial Placement for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy under Only Endoscopic Ultrasonography Guidance in Pancreatic and Hepatic Malignancy: Practical Feasibility and Safety

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for gastrointestinal malignancies requires the placement of fiducials to guide treatment delivery. This study aimed to determine the safety and technical feasibility of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fiducial placement for SBRT. METHODS: From November 2010 to August 2012, 32 consecutive patients who were scheduled to receive SBRT for pancreatic and hepatic malignancies were referred for EUS-guided fiducial placement. Primary outcome measurements included technical success, the fiducial migration rate, and procedural complications. RESULTS: All 32 patients had successful fiducial placement under EUS guidance. The mean number of fiducials placed per patient was 2.94+/-0.24 (range, 2 to 3 seeds). Spontaneous fiducial migration was noted in one patient (3.1%). Of the 32 patients with fiducials placed, 29 patients (90.6%) successfully underwent SBRT. One patient (3.1%) developed mild pancreatitis, requiring a 2-day prolonged hospitalization after fiducial placement. Five patients (15.6%) underwent same-session, EUS-guided fine needle aspiration for histologic confirmation at the time of fiducial placement, without any procedure-related complication. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided fiducial placement is a safe and technically feasible technique for preparing patients with both pancreatic and hepatic malignancies for SBRT. The fiducial markers facilitate safe and accurate targeting of the tumor during SBRT.

Application of Real-Time Tumor-Tracking and Gated Radiotherapy System for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

Herein is reported our experience of radiation therapy using a real-time tumor-tracking and gated radiotherapy (RTRT) system for inoperable pancreatic cancer. Three unresectable pancreatic cancer patients were treated with intraoperative electron beam radiation therapy, at the time of open biopsy, and postoperative external beam radiation therapy using an RTRT system with a 2.0 mm diameter gold ball implanted into the pancreas. The total BED's (alpha/beta=10) was intended to be equivalent to that of delivering 60 Gy by 2.0 Gy/fraction, while the actual dose schedules were individualized. The movement of the pancreas was analyzed based on the 3-dimensional marker positions during the RTRT. The side effects and tumor responses were evaluated. During the RTRT course, the average movement of markers in the x (left to right), y (cranial to caudal) and z (dorsal to ventral) directions were 3.0 mm (1.7- 5.2 mm), 5.2 mm (3.5 - 6.8 mm) and 3.5 mm (2.7 - 5.1 mm), respectively. During and after the course of postoperative radiation therapy, no acute side effects of RTOG grade II or higher were detected. The objective tumor responses, as evaluated by CT scans 3 months after the treatment, were 2 partial responses and no response in one patient. Using the RTRT technique the margin of treatment planning and the possible errors in target localization were reduced, and the 3-dimensional movement of the internal marker implanted in the pancreas was able to be analyzed.

Avances en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de páncreas / Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic carcinoma

Pancreatic carcinoma has a dismal prognosis. In the last years, great efforts have been made to improve diagnosis and preoperative staging of potentially curable carcinomas. Actually, the diagnosis of fairly small tumours is possible. Chemoradiation therapy protocols prior to pancreatectomy, aiming to improve survival, are currently being held. This therapy allows radiation to be distributed into well oxygenated cells before surgical devascularization. This procedure can be done with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. In selected cases of irresectable carcinoma, surgical palliation allows a better quality of life. Pancreatoduodenal resection, along with other traditional oncological therapies, will continue to be the therapy of choice for patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, without local or regional metastases. However, an intensive search for new therapeutic strategies, specially in the field of molecular biology, is being carried out

Evaluation of combined hyperfractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy in locally advanced irresectable carcinoma of the pancreas

Thirty-two patients with locally advanced irresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with hyperfractionated radiotherapy and simultaneous application of 5-fluorouracil. Chemotherapy was administered as short infusion before each fraction of radiotherapy for four days in the first week to be repeated on the fourth week according to toxicity. Radiotherapy consisted of two fractions per day for five days per week during four consecutive weeks up to a total dose of 48 Gy, each fraction 1.2 Gy with interfraction period not less than six hours. The median survival time for all patients was 12.7 months compared with three and seven months after palliative radiotherapy alone [historical control]. Toxicity and therapy induced morbidity were recorded according to WHO criteria and were acceptable. This combined modality treatment consisting of hyperfractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy seems to be feasible for patients with locally advanced and irresectable pancreatic cancer