Definitive radiotherapy for patients with isolated local recurrence of primary resected pancreatic cancer: A retrospective analysis.

Abstract

366 Background: Only surgical resection can provide a chance of long-term survival for patients with pancreatic cancer, but loco-regional recurrence has been a major challenge which inevitably results in poor prognosis and loss of patients’ quality of life. Curative reoperation is seldom attainable but has been suggested to have benefits on overall survival. We hypothesized that definitive radiotherapy could offer a good control for the unresectable local recurrence and improve survival. The primary objective of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of definitive radiotherapy for patients with isolated locally-recurrent pancreatic cancer. Methods: A total of 26 patients, who developed local recurrence of primarily resected pancreatic cancer and received radiotherapy between 2000 and 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. The isolated local recurrence was diagnosed with the radiological images (CT/MRI/PET) and tumor marker relapse. The overall survival (OS) and local control rate (LC) were calculated from the start day of radiotherapy and estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. The responses in tumor size and tumor markers were evaluated. The treatment-related toxicity was assessed according to CTC-AE (ver. 4.0). Results: The median total dose of radiotherapy was 50.4 Gy (range, 39.6–54 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of gemcitabine (62%), S-1 (19%), and 5-fluorouracil (4%). At a median follow-up time of 13 months, the 1-year OS and median survival were 75% and 21.6 months, respectively. The 1-year local control rate was 59%. Objective radiological response was not seen. The tumor marker reduction and ≥ 50% reduction were observed in 65% and 12%. Grade≥3 hematological toxicity was seen in 62%. Grade ≥ 3 of acute gastrointestinal toxicity was not observed. At a late phase, Grade 3 ileus observed in one, and Grade 3 gastric bleeding ulcer was seen in one patient. Conclusions: Definitive radiotherapy resulted in encouraging local control and overall survival for patients with isolated locally-recurrent pancreatic cancer. This treatment strategy should be further evaluated prospectively.