Role of intraluminal brachytherapy in extrahepatic bile duct and pancreatic cancers: is it just for palliation?

PURPOSE

To evaluate intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in patients with extrahepatic bile duct or pancreatic cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients (aged 33-87 years) with unresectable extrahepatic bile duct (n = 18) or pancreatic (n = 13) cancer received ILBT exclusively or as part of a definitive treatment regimen. ILBT was performed with transhepatic percutaneous drainage in four patients and with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 27. Fourteen patients with no metastases, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of < or = 2, and good hematologic parameters received combined modality treatment: 30-Gy ILBT and 45-Gy external-beam radiation therapy with continuous infusion of fluorouracil. Seventeen patients underwent 50-Gy ILBT alone for palliation.

RESULTS

No direct treatment-related acute toxic reactions were seen. Three patients had cholangitis early in the study. Three patients had late gastrointestinal bleeding. Jaundice was palliated in all patients (n = 29); pain, in 11 of 13 patients. The survival rate in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer was 62% (five of eight) at 2 years for combined modality treatment. No patient with pancreatic cancer lived for longer than 2 years.

CONCLUSION

ILBT is an effective palliative treatment of unresectable extrahepatic bile duct and pancreatic cancers. Results suggest a possible "curative" role in specific clinical settings when properly integrated with other treatments.