title: [3D-Ct-planned interstitial HDR brachytherapy + percutaneous irradiation and chemotherapy in inoperable pancreatic carcinoma. Methods and clinical outcome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clinical experiences in interstitial 192-iridium HDR brachytherapy for the treatment of unresectable pancreatic carcinoma are presented. Brachytherapy has been used as boost irradiation in a multimodality treatment concept together with external radiotherapy and simultaneous chemotherapy. Practicability during clinical routine, tolerability and toxicity of treatment are investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients (9 female, 10 male, median age 67 years) with unresectable carcinoma of the pancreas have been treated with interstitial brachytherapy. Distribution according to UICC stages showed 4, 10 and 5 patients in stage II to IV respectively. In all cases afterloading technique with 192-iridium in HDR-modus was used. A total dose of 10 to 34 Gy to the reference isodose was delivered (single dose 1.88 to 5 Gy, median 2.5 Gy). Brachytherapy was followed by external radiotherapy, delivering an additional dose of 40 to 58 Gy. Nine patients received simultaneous chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin). Treatment planning was performed based on CT scans, allowing spatial correlation of isodose curves to the patient's anatomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median survival time was 6 months. A trend of lower survival rates with advanced stage of disease (median survival stage IV 4 months, stage II and III 6.5 months) was seen. Local control rate was 70%. Brachytherapy treatment was well tolerated, severe acute side effects were not observed. One patient developed pancreatic fistulae 4 months and 1 patient a gastric ulcer 7 months after treatment. Pain release was achieved in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  192-iridium HDR-brachytherapy is an effective tool in the treatment of unresectable pancreatic carcinoma with a high rate of local control and a low rate of side effects and is comparable IORT or seed implantation.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Strahlentherapie der Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pfreundner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bratengeier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flentje
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feustel
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil
vernacular_title: 3D-CT-geplante interstitielle HDR-Brachytherapie + perkutane Bestrahlung und Chemotherapie bei inoperablen Pankreaskarzinomen. Methodik und klinische Ergebnisse.