In a groundbreaking advancement, Israeli researchers have developed a non-invasive radiation therapy that significantly reduces severe pain in pancreatic cancer patients, enhancing their quality of life.
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously painful due to the pancreas's close proximity to the celiac plexus, a major nerve cluster. Tumors in this area often press on or invade the nerve bundle, causing intense discomfort for patients.
Traditional pain management methods include medications that can have harsh side effects or, in more stubborn cases, the injection of anesthetics directly into the celiac plexus. However, these approaches can be invasive and carry additional risks.
Offering a promising alternative, the new treatment involves a one-time irradiation of X-rays targeted specifically at the celiac plexus rather than the tumor itself. This innovative approach was tested across eight hospitals in the United States, Canada, Poland, Portugal, and Israel, led by Israel's Sheba Medical Center, and the findings were published in The Lancet Oncology.
Out of 90 patients with pancreatic cancer, 48 individuals—53 percent—reported a significant decrease in pain levels and a notable improvement in their overall quality of life following the therapy.
Moreover, the treatment was well-tolerated, with minimal and non-serious side effects such as fatigue and mild nausea occurring on the day of the procedure.
Given that the average five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients is less than 10 percent, and approximately 80 percent of cases are diagnosed at an advanced and inoperable stage, this new method offers a ray of hope.
The researchers also noted that this non-invasive approach could potentially be adapted for use in patients with other types of cancer, paving the way for broader applications in pain management and treatment.
Reference(s):
Non-invasive method to reduce pain in pancreatic cancer patients
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