The Radiation Oncology Branch and Surgery Branches of the National Cancer Institute have been involved in prospectively randomized studies evaluating the potential role of intraoperative radiation therapy in several disease sites, including resectable and unresectable carcinomas of the pancreas, resectable carcinomas of the stomach, and retroperitoneal sarcomas. One hundred patients have been treated with experimental intraoperative radiation therapy, and randomized to either receive or not receive radiation therapy intraoperatively with large single doses of electrons. There is really no suggestion of improvement in survival, or in disease-free survival. There is some suggestion of an improvement of local control in the retroperitoneum itself; however, this is off-set by a high predilection for seeding of the abdominal cavity, either peritoneal carcinomatosis or sarcomatosis, thus neutralizing the potential benefit of intraoperative radiation. The trials on pancreatic carcinoma and retroperitoneal sarcomas have been closed. The gastric study is still open for patient accrual.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Division of Cancer Treatment (NCI)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01CM006357-06
Application #
3916582
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cancer Treatment
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code