NYU Langone physicians may use one of several types of external beam radiation therapy, which is delivered from a machine called a linear accelerator. This machine rotates around you during therapy to treat the entire tumor.
Radiation oncologists determine which type of therapy may be right for you.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
With intensity modulated radiation therapy, doctors break up the radiation into many small beams of different adjustable strengths, which closely conform to the size, shape, and location of the pancreatic tumor. Physicians can adjust the radiation beam within millimeters to spare surrounding healthy tissue.
Treatment is delivered in small doses called fractions. Typically, intensity modulated radiation therapy sessions take place once daily, five days a week, for several weeks. Our radiation oncologists can recommend the best schedule for you.
Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiation Therapy
Volumetric modulated arc radiation therapy, allows the linear accelerator to move around you in one or several 360-degree rotations as the therapy is delivered. This means radiation can be given from almost any angle to closely target the tumor, while avoiding healthy tissue.
Physicians are also able to continuously adjust the radiation beams as they are delivered, whereas more traditional forms of radiation require that the treatments start and stop for adjustments. Because this type of radiation therapy is given without interruption, treatment sessions may be shorter than with other approaches.
Sessions are typically once daily, five days a week, for several weeks.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
Stereotactic body radiation therapy, delivers a few high doses of carefully targeted radiation beams to the tumor over several days.
A gastroenterologist can assist the radiation oncologist with treatment planning by placing small pieces of gold, called fiducials, near pancreatic tumors during an endoscopic ultrasound or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Fiducials appear on imaging scans to help the radiologist better target radiation therapy.
Treatment is usually completed within a week. Your doctor may use this approach to shrink pancreatic tumors before surgery. People who cannot have surgery because of poor health may be good candidates for this treatment.