Demonstration of safety and feasibility of hydrogel marking of the pancreas-duodenum interface for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in a porcine model: Implications in IGRT for pancreatic cancer patients

This study presents the feasibility and safety of marking the pancreas and duodenum interface with a high-contrast hydrogel and demonstrates acceptable visibility of the marked location on cone beam computed tomography using a porcine model. Translation of this technique to the radiotherapy treatment of pancreatic cancer patients would enable on-board visualization of this important boundary between the radiation target and the dose-limiting duodenum, facilitating future efforts towards safe dose-escalation.

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