Combined modality treatment of localized unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Abstract Since 1978, 86 patients with unresectable localized adenocarcinoma of the pancreas have been treated with a combined modality program using radioactive iodine 125-Implantation, external beam radiation, and systemic chemotherapy. Three treatment approaches were used with sequential modifications of the technique based on the course of disease and patterns of failure. Group 1 was comprised of 13 patients treated with a combination of implantation followed by a planned external radiation dose of 5000 to 6000 cGy delivered in 6 weeks. Group 2 included patients treated as in Group 1 followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The most recent group of 54 patients, Group 3, has been treated since 1981 with implantation into the tumor of radioactive Iodine 125 seeds (12000 cGy minimal peripheral dose), perioperative chemotherapy (5-FU, Mito-C), and external beam irradiation (5000–5500 cGy) followed by further chemotherapy. Incidence of perioperative mortality has been reduced from 31% (1032) in Groups 1 & 2 to 7% (454) in Group 3. Clinical local control of tumor has been excellent in all three groups (84%). Analysis of the Group 3 results indicate that the problem of distant metastasis, in spite of adjuvant chemotherapy, still remains overwhelming (64%)—especially to the liver—and requires development of more effective regimens. Median survival in the three groups of patients is 5.5, 11.3, and 12.5 months. The 2-year survival is 0, 15, and 22%, retrospectively in the three groups.