Revolutionary relief: Pioneering single-dose radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer in Israel

Sheba Medical Center's collaborative effort to advance pain management

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Under the leadership of Dr. Yaakov Lawrence, a dedicated team – including Prof. Talia Golan, Dr. Maoz Ben-Ayion, and Professor Zvi Simon – has developed a new radiotherapy treatment at Israel's Sheba Medical Center. This advanced technique targets the celiac plexus nerve to alleviate the severe pain associated with pancreatic cancer.

This innovative approach provides substantial relief during life-saving therapies and is now included in updated U.S. guidelines for managing this aggressive disease. Pancreatic cancer is notorious for its intense pain and high mortality rates due to late diagnosis, with tumors often compressing or infiltrating the celiac plexus nerve, leading to significant suffering and diminished quality of life.

Traditionally, pain management for pancreatic cancer has involved analgesics or invasive procedures like celiac plexus nerve blockade. In collaboration with the Israeli Cancer Association, the effective method presents an alternative: A single session of high-dose X-ray radiotherapy aimed at the nerve causing the pain.

As reported in The Lancet, an international study across the USA, Canada, Poland, Portugal, and Israel, involved 125 patients. The results have been incredibly encouraging, with 53% of patients experiencing considerable pain relief and noticeable improvements to their quality of life, while side effects were generally minor, including temporary fatigue and nausea.

Dr. Lawrence explained how the new treatment relieves the tremendous suffering of pancreatic cancer patients.

"Pain is one of the factors that causes the most suffering for pancreatic cancer patients. We're talking about intense pain that affects daily functioning and quality of life. In cases where pain intensifies, patients require high doses of morphine, which have serious side effects. The new radiotherapy treatment is relatively simple and can significantly relieve patients' immense suffering."

The promising results of this study have led to its incorporation into the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, officially recognizing and recommending this innovative treatment for managing pancreatic cancer pain.

This endorsement provides new hope for patients and presents a promising alternative to conventional pain management approaches.