Short-course radiation therapy better preserves physical function before pancreatic cancer surgery

AI Summary

A randomized Phase II trial found that five sessions of stereotactic body radiation therapy better preserved physical function and reduced fatigue before pancreatic cancer surgery than a longer conventional radiation-and-chemotherapy regimen. The findings suggest a potential benefit from a shorter preoperative treatment course.

Patients preparing for pancreatic cancer surgery maintained better physical function and experienced less fatigue with five treatments of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) than with 28 treatments of conventional radiation therapy given with chemotherapy, according to a randomized Phase II clinical trial.