Radiation therapy options
At City of Hope, our radiation oncologists use radiation therapies that target difficult-to-reach pancreatic tumors to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors and provide relief of common pancreatic cancer symptoms.
Since the pancreas is hidden behind other organs, radiation treatment requires accuracy and precision. With sophisticated radiation therapy delivery systems and image guidance, our radiation oncologists design treatment plans to direct radiation at pancreatic cancer cells, while reducing exposure to healthy pancreatic tissue.
Some radiation therapy options for pancreatic cancer patients at City of Hope include:
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
EBRT delivers high-energy rays to tumors, using a special X-ray machine called a linear accelerator. This machine allows radiation to be delivered from any angle, and shapes radiation beams to the contour of the tumor. Our radiation oncologists use EBRT to target the tumor with higher, more precise doses of radiation, while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and nearby organs. As a result, EBRT can reduce the risk of side effects typically associated with radiation treatment.
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
Tumors can shift inside the body, because of breathing and other movement. IGRT locates and tracks tumors during treatment and delivers precise doses of radiation. The technology also allows our radiation oncologist to make technical adjustments if the tumor moves outside of the planned treatment range, which is designed to limit radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
Intensity modulated radiation (IMRT)
IMRT is a radiation delivery system used to treat difficult-to-reach tumors. Using advanced software to plan a precise dose of radiation based on tumor size, shape and location, a computer-controlled device delivers radiation in sculpted doses that match the exact three-dimensional shape of the tumor. IMRT may be an option if you have had conventional radiation therapy previously and are experiencing recurrent tumors in the treated area.
Stereotactic body radiation (SBRT)
SBRT uses advanced imaging techniques to deliver a targeted radiation dose to a pancreatic tumor. Because the radiation is focused on the tumor with millimeter precision, less healthy tissue gets damaged by radiation. City of Hope uses the Calypso® system to deliver concentrated, highly focused radiation therapy during SBRT.
City of Hope uses advanced radiation delivery systems designed to treat difficult-to-reach tumors, including those in the pancreas and liver. Some of the sophisticated radiation delivery systems include:
TomoTherapy®
TomoTherapy combines an advanced form of IMRT with an onboard CT scanner that allows for precise targeting of radiation. While traditional radiation therapies project radiation onto a tumor from only a few directions, TomoTherapy delivers precise doses of radiation to tumors through a 360-degree delivery pattern. TomoTherapy may be an option if you have reached your maximum tolerance for traditional radiation.
Trilogy®
Trilogy is capable of providing IMRT, IGRT, 3D Conformal Radiation, Fractionated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery—all from one machine. The real-time imaging of this technology provides up-to-the-second data so your radiation oncology team can monitor tumor motion during treatment, provide high doses of targeted radiation therapy and avoid harm to healthy tissues that surround tumors.
TrueBeam™
TrueBeam is an advanced image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system used to treat pancreatic cancer with speed and accuracy while avoiding healthy tissues and organs. The technology's real-time imaging enables doctors to monitor pancreatic tumor motion during treatment, provide targeted radiation therapy and avoid damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
TheraSphere®
If pancreatic cancer spreads to your liver, TheraSphere may be an option for you. With TheraSphere, a radiation oncologist can target the liver tumor with radioactive microspheres delivered through a catheter positioned in your hepatic artery, which is your liver’s main blood vessel. Once the microspheres enter your liver, they are trapped in the small blood vessels that feed the tumor. The radiation inside them targets the tumor, minimizing injury to healthy surrounding liver tissue.
