Evolution of Radiation Therapy in Pancreas Cancer Management toward MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Pancreas cancer has a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. At diagnosis, most patients have either metastatic or locally advanced disease. In this article, we review the evolution of treatments in locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC) and discuss the various radiation therapy fractionation schemes. Furthermore, we examine the data supporting dose escalation and the delivery of ablative biologically effective doses in the setting of LAPC. Finally, we review the role of MRI-guided radiation therapy in escalating dose while sparing organs at risk in the era of stereotactic magnetic resonance-guided adaptive radiation therapy.