The expanding role of stereotactic body radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer: a review of the literature

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy for which surgical resection with negative margins provides the only chance of long-term survival. Unfortunately, fewer than 20% of newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients are eligible for surgery due to advanced local and/or distant disease. Historically, patients ineligible for surgery have received chemotherapy with or without conventionally fractionated external beam radiation therapy (RT). Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a viable alternative strategy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) based on multiple institutional reports showing enhanced local control rates, minimal toxicity, and reduced treatment times. The use of SBRT for borderline resectable and postoperative patients is promising and deserves further prospective evaluation.