[Intraoperative electron irradiation of malignant pancreatic tumors--initial experiences at Grosshadern]

15 patients with locally unresectable pancreatic carcinomas were treated by IORT and bypass surgery. 13 patients without distant metastases were additionally treated by external beam irradiation. Although only one patient had a local failure, the median survival was only eight months. Severe complications were seen in eight patients, gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in six patients and was the cause of death in three patients. The stop of weight loss and the impressive pain relief within ten days after IORT demonstrate the significance of this treatment modality with respect to palliative effects.