PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Pre-operative radiochemotherapy is the most recent therapeutic option in the pre-operative downstaging of pancreatic cancer and in decreasing the rate of positive resection margins. The purpose of the study was to evaluate tolerance and efficacy of pre-operative radiochemotherapy in unresectable pancreatic cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included seven cases of pancreatic cancer considered unresectable. The patients received preoperatively 50 grays within a 5-week period associated with 5 FU and Platin during the 1st and 5th weeks. RESULTS: After radiochemotherapy, tomodensitometric evaluation showed a minor response in two cases. A pancreatico-duodenectomy could be performed in these two patients without any increase of pre- or post-operative morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that preoperative radiochemotherapy may increase pancreatic cancer resectability. This hypothesis should be confirmed by a prospective randomised trial.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Pre-operative radiochemotherapy is the most recent therapeutic option in the pre-operative downstaging of pancreatic cancer and in decreasing the rate of positive resection margins. The purpose of the study was to evaluate tolerance and efficacy of pre-operative radiochemotherapy in unresectable pancreatic cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included seven cases of pancreatic cancer considered unresectable. The patients received preoperatively 50 grays within a 5-week period associated with 5 FU and Platin during the 1st and 5th weeks. RESULTS: After radiochemotherapy, tomodensitometric evaluation showed a minor response in two cases. A pancreatico-duodenectomy could be performed in these two patients without any increase of pre- or post-operative morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that preoperative radiochemotherapy may increase pancreatic cancer resectability. This hypothesis should be confirmed by a prospective randomised trial.
Authors: V K Mehta; G Fisher; J A Ford; J C Poen; M A Vierra; H Oberhelman; J Niederhuber; J A Bastidas Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2001 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 3.452