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Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with gemcitabine plus regional hyperthermia for locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma: initial experience

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with gemcitabine plus regional hyperthermia (HT) for locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC).

Materials and methods

A total of 29 patients with LAPC treated with concurrent CRT using gemcitabine were retrospectively analyzed. Radiotherapy was administered with a median total dose of 61.2 Gy. Of the 29 patients, 20 (69%) also underwent regional HT during CRT (CRHT group). The remaining 9 patients did not receive regional HT (CRT group) because of a common bile duct stent placement, patient refusal, older age, or obesity. The efficacy and toxicity of the treatments and the predictors of good outcome were evaluated.

Results

The median disease progression-free and overall survival times were significantly better for the CRHT group than for the CRT group (8.8 vs. 4.9 months, P = 0.02, and 18.6 vs. 9.6 months, P = 0.01), respectively. Grade 3–4 hematological toxicities for the CRHT group were detected in eight patients (40%) and grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity in one (diarrhea).

Conclusion

Concurrent CRT using gemcitabine with regional HT may be a feasible and promising regimen for LAPC, and the results justified further evaluation in a large number of patients to confirm its definite benefit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan

    Takayuki Ohguri, Hajime Imada, Katsuya Yahara, Tomoaki Morioka, Keita Nakano & Yukunori Korogi

  2. Department of Radiology, Tobata Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan

    Hiroyuki Narisada

Authors
  1. Takayuki Ohguri
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  2. Hajime Imada
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  3. Katsuya Yahara
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  4. Hiroyuki Narisada
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  5. Tomoaki Morioka
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  7. Yukunori Korogi
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Correspondence to Takayuki Ohguri.

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Ohguri, T., Imada, H., Yahara, K. et al. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with gemcitabine plus regional hyperthermia for locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma: initial experience. Radiat Med 26, 587–596 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-008-0279-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-008-0279-y

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