Overview
The pancreas sits deep in the upper abdomen and has two main functions: producing insulin to control blood sugar and enzymes to digest fat. Ninety-five percent of pancreatic cancers begin in the enzyme-producing cells.
Pancreatic tumors often aren’t detected until they are large or have spread, because symptoms may not appear early. Radiation therapy is used to shrink tumors before surgery, to prevent recurrence after surgery, or to relieve symptoms when surgery isn’t an option.
Pancreatic cancer by the numbers
Over 64,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year in the U.S., and nearly 51,000 will die from the disease. It accounts for 3 % of all cancers but 7 % of all cancer deaths.
Why proton therapy?
Proton therapy delivers high-dose radiation that stops precisely at the tumor, avoiding an exit dose and sparing nearby organs like the liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines.
By conforming tightly to the tumor’s shape and stopping within it, protons reduce the risk of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—and may allow higher, more effective doses than X-ray treatments.
This precision is especially valuable for pancreatic cancers, which lie deep in the abdomen close to critical structures. Clinical trials are ongoing to refine proton techniques for this challenging disease.