Neoadjuvant chemoradiation in pancreatic carcinoma: Preliminary results|Radiochemioterapia neoadiuvante nel carcinoma del pancreas: Risultati preliminari

Abstract Aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary outcomes of a multidisciplinary treatment of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Fourteen patients were treated with 39.8 Gy of preoperative radiotherapy combined with continuous infusion of 5FU (1000 mg/m2, days 1-4), followed by radical surgery if feasible. No patients had grade 3-4 acute toxicity during chemoradiation. Two out 14 patients showed minor response and 3 patients a disease progression. Four patients were suitable for radical surgery. Median survival of the whole group is 12 months. The treatment was feasible but new drugs should be tested to intensity the combined preoperative approach.