STEREOTACTIC CONFORMAL RADIOTHERAPY FOR ADVANCED PANCREATIC CANCER:A REPORT OF 32 CASES

Objective:To evaluate the therapeatic effect of stereotactic conformal radiotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer.Methods:Patients were fixed with vac-lok cushion of the device of stereotactic localization.Radio-opaque markers were used to localize skin marks.CT simulation integrated CT scanning,target definition,radiation beam orientation,treatment portal specification and simulation imaging into a highly accurate and efficient 3D TPS.After the completion of three dimensional design and field shaping,stereotactic conformal radiotherapy was given by the isocentral treatment(SAD METHOD)with 6 MVX-ray.All patients received a total dose of 24-48 Gy/7-24 days,3-8 fractions and 6-12 Gy per fraction with an interval of 1-2 days.Results:After radiotherapy,abdominal pain was relieved completely in 27 of these 32 patients(84.37 %),jaundice disappeared in 13 of 19 patients(68.42 %) and appetite was improved in 12 of 32 patients(37.50 %).Up to the time of reexamination at 1-3 months after radiotherapy,of 23 patients,3patients(13.04 %) had complete regression of tumors,13 patients(56.52 %) had partial regression of tumors of colliquative necrosis in the center of tumors.The overall response rate(CR+PR) was 69.56 %.Nine patients died within 3 months,6 patients survived for more than 12 months.The average suvival time was 7.8 months.Conclusion:Stereotactic conformal radiotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer may relieve symptoms,such as abdominal pain and jaundice.It is an effective approadch to improve life quality and prolong survival time for advanced pancreatic cancer.