Chemotherapy in combination with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for oligometastatic pancreatic cancer

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Sep 15:2018:bcr2018225846. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225846.

Abstract

Metastatic pancreatic cancer is characterised by poor prognosis. High toxicity of chemotherapy limits its use in elderly patients with severe comorbidities. Meanwhile, in metastatic disease, local treatment did not show the positive effect on life expectancy. We present a clinical case of a 72-year-old woman with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumour, node, metastases (T3N0M1) (according to the seventh TNM classification of the International Union Against Cancer). Chemotherapy led to partial response, but later was stopped due to severe toxicity. Thereafter, consolidating radiosurgical treatment was performed. Dose to pancreatic and liver lesions was 35 Gy in five fractions. After 9 months, only one liver lesion and primary pancreatic tumour, stable in size were determined by MRI. At present time, the patient is alive and in good condition, the disease is stable 50 months after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). SBRT provides a high level of local control and in combination with systemic treatment can potentially increase survival.

Keywords: cancer intervention; pancreatic cancer; radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Radiosurgery / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed