Extra Radiation Could Provide Edge in Pancreatic Cancer Treatments

With a five-year survival rate that’s in the single digits of percentages, pancreatic cancer is well-known as one of the deadliest forms of this disease. An estimated 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with this condition annually and about 40,000 die each year from it. To date, doctors have been hampered in lifesaving efforts courtesy of this particular form of cancer’s lack of early detection protocols that could lead to earlier interventions. That means most patients undergo treatments in later stages of the disease where the likelihood of a "cure" is slim.

Researchers now say they may have uncovered a new treatment protocol that could increase survival rates in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. A procedure called a "vessel boost" may help ensure patients are able to undergo a surgical resection to remove tumors. A "vessel boost" is a dose of radiation that is given to patients who are deemed borderline resectable.

A study out of Philadelphia’s Fox Chase Cancer Center shows that this extra dose of radiation delivered to the areas around a tumor with vessel involvement as part of standard treatments increases chances that tumors can be successfully resected. The difference, however, in overall survival of patients was minimal at 17.6 months versus 12.6 months. Even so, researchers say this extra boost of radiation did prove significant when considering the survival rate of patients who are able to undergo surgery versus those who cannot. The median survival rate for surgical candidates is 28.8 months versus 8.7 months for patients who do not receive resections.

While more study is required to better gauge the overall effectiveness of this extra dose of radiation, the current findings may open the door for better treatments of pancreatic cancer. Improvements in longevity, even small ones, are a big victory in the battle to end this disease’s bleak outlook.

About:- The Sandler-Kenner Foundation was started by Gregory A. Echt, M.D. and his wife, Susan T. Echt, after they lost two of their dear friends, Michael and Peter, to premature deaths from pancreatic cancer.

Non-profit organization - The Sandler-Kenner Foundation’s primary focus is to improve survivability of pancreatic cancer patients by developing early identification tools that are highly sensitive, cost effective and easily implemented by medical pra