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  • Review Article
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The role of radiotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 7, pages 437–447 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

The prognosis for locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma remains dismal despite advances in chemotherapy and radiotherapy over the past few decades. The use of radiotherapy for pancreatic carcinoma is often disputed because of the hypothesis that patients with pancreatic cancer die from distant metastases. It is well accepted that the greatest chance for cure of pancreatic cancer involves surgical resection of the primary tumor. However, there is much controversy about the role of radiotherapy in local disease control. The aim of this Review is to discuss data from the available studies, both prospective and retrospective, that evaluate treatment options for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. We focus on the benefits associated with local therapies, including radiotherapy and surgical resection, as they relate to improved local disease control, prolonged overall survival and improved symptom control.

Key Points

  • Deaths from pancreatic carcinoma occur due to both local and distant disease

  • Retrospective studies have demonstrated that aggressive local therapy leads to improved local control, which can translate into improved overall survival

  • It is sensible to adopt a plan to improve the selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from local therapy

  • Improvements in both local and systemic control could lead to improved cancer-specific survival

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Hospital, 5758 South Maryland Avenue MC 9006, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA

    Ruchika Gutt, Stanley L. Liauw & Ralph R. Weichselbaum

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  1. Ruchika Gutt
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  2. Stanley L. Liauw
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  3. Ralph R. Weichselbaum
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Correspondence to Stanley L. Liauw.

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R. R. Weichselbaum declares that he is a consultant and stock-holder for GenVec, Inc. The other authors declare no competing in-terests.

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Gutt, R., Liauw, S. & Weichselbaum, R. The role of radiotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 7, 437–447 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2010.98

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