The current status of space modulated radiotherapy

Abstract

Various kinds of spacers have been developed in recent years, consequently enabling advances in intra-abdominal space modulated radiotherapy. Especially, biocompatible and bioabsorbable spacers seem beneficial. Among malignant tumors, pancreatic cancer exhibits the poorest prognosis and several treatment strategies have been attempted for this tumor. Particle therapies combined with chemotherapy have the potential to improve the outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients, and avoiding or reducing the toxicity of the treatment by the use of nonwoven fabric spacers seems to be effective for not only pancreatic cancer, but also other upper abdominal malignant tumors and pelvic soft tissue sarcomas by stopping the proton or carbon-ion beams and separating the normal tissues from the radiation field. Next-generation polyglycolic acid (PGA) spacers are currently under investigation for the purpose of reduction of adhesions.