Higher Dose Radiation May be Advisable in Pancreatic Cancer

One of the doctors behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation talks the possible benefits.

Irving, TX, — People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may soon find their doctors recommending higher doses of radiation to treat the often-deadly disease. Recent research has shown that higher doses may more than double survival in some patients.

The study in question involved more than 500 patients with early stage pancreatic cancer. All members of the group underwent surgical resection in addition to radiotherapy. About 150 patients also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Researchers found that patients given the lowest recommended dose of chemoradiation had an overall survival rate of about 13 months after treatment. Those who received a higher dose had a survival time that doubled to about 28 months.

“The study’s findings are very encouraging in that they seem to indicate a way to make radiotherapy more effective in treating pancreatic cancer while producing positive results,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, one of the physicians behind the Sandler-Kenner Foundation and the founder and lead surgeon at Choice Cancer Care. “Although not a cure, the findings may lead to better treatment protocols to help extend patient life.”

Radiotherapy has been deemed largely ineffective in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in many previous studies. As the researchers pointed out, however, previous studies relied on dosing in the