Surgical radiation zaps pancreatic tumors from inside

NCT ID NCT03716531

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether giving a precise dose of radiation directly to the tumor during surgery (intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT) can help people with pancreatic cancer that has grown into nearby blood vessels. Participants first receive standard chemotherapy and radiation, then undergo surgery with the IORT boost. The main goal is to see if this approach improves 2-year survival rates.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: electron beam intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could improve survival and local control for patients with pancreatic cancer that involves nearby blood vessels.
What could go wrong: This is a single-arm phase II study without a control group, so benefits are uncertain. The treatment is intensive and may not improve outcomes over standard care.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

malignant pancreatic neoplasm pancreatic neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PANCREAS CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida, 32224, United States
Mayo Clinic, Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
Ohio State University Medical Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
University of California, Irvine

Irvine, California, 92697, United States
University of North, Carolina Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, United States

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