Radiation and chemotherapy. Treatment of localized pancreatic carcinoma

Patients unable to undergo a pancreatoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas are often treated with radiation therapy. A randomized trial by the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group has shown an advantage in combining it with chemotherapy. A similar size retrospective study at a large community radiation therapy center assessed this finding in the nonprotocol setting. The study population consisted of 86 patients treated with primary radiation therapy between 1982 and 1992; 62 of them also received chemotherapy. The overall probability of survival was 39% and 13% at 12 and 24 months respectively. Patients receiving chemotherapy had a significantly (p = .018) longer survival (44% versus 25% at 12 months). Results confirm the Study Group's findings and suggest that they be applied to the community setting.