ESTRO ACROP guidelines for target volume definition in pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Despite of the predominant role of chemotherapy and surgery in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), radiotherapy (RT) still has a place in multimodal management of this disease where local tumour sequelae are fatal in about 40% of the patients. RT (chemoradiotherapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy) is used and investigated in the non-metastatic setting as part of definitive treatment strategies, in (neo)adjuvant settings and for locally recurrent disease. The ACROP committee was delegated by ESTRO to recommend target volume delineation for these clinical situations. The guidelines of this document are a result of a structured evaluation of the best available evidence by a panel of international experts in the field. Guidance for treatment planning including diagnostic imaging is provided. Recommendations are given for GTV delineation. The role and the definition of CTV volumes are critically discussed. Aspects of motion management and patient positioning are taken into account for PTV definition. Furthermore, aspects of delineation of organs at risk and of dose constraints are described in both, standard and hypofractionated, settings. This guideline has the purpose to support standardised and optimised processes of RT treatment planning for both, clinical practice and prospective studies.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer; Radiotherapy; Target volumes.