Combined radiochemotherapy of an irresectable carcinoma of the pancreas

: Local irresectable carcinoma of the pancreas was diagnosed by explorative laparotomy of a 62-years old patient. At this stage (T3 N1 M0), a curative surgical therapy was not possible. The prognosis in these cases is bad. Medium survival time is less than half a year. In order to improve prognosis a combined radiochemotherapy has been applied. The total tumor dose of 44.8 Gy was applied in 2 daily fractions of 1.6 Gy. On the first 3 days of radiotherapy 600 mg/m2 5-FU and 300 mg/m2 folinic acid were given i.v.. Chemotherapy was repeated each 28 days. After 45 months of observation and application of 20 courses chemotherapy no local or systemical progress can be proven in this patient. His health status is good. A combined radio-chemotherapy improves prognosis in locally irresectable carcinoma of the pancreas. In particular cases survival time is surprisingly long.