A radiological study has revealed that perfusion computed tomography (CT) scan can help predict the histopathologic treatment response in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC is the most known malignancy of the pancreas. It is very aggressive and challenging to treat.
The only chance for cure is through the removal of the tumor by surgery. The likely cause of the condition remains poor despite the presence of advanced knowledge, a rise in specialized centers, and improved diagnosis and management of PDAC.
Perfusion CT scan on PDAC patients with a high baseline blood flow indicated that the tumor has a high response to chemotherapy and radiation. The change in tumor size showed a low correlation between chemotherapy, radiation and histologic grading of response.
The Study
A two year study carried out between 2016 to 2018 on biopsy participants has proved to have PDA responders undergo a perfusion CT scan after Chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT).
The review was to investigate the response of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) by the use of perfused CT. The scan was used to quantify blood volume (BV), blood flow (BF) and permeability. The participants were categorized to responders and non-responders. All participants were subject to pancreatectomy, and some had dynamic perfusion CT before neoadjuvant CRT.
Findings
The baseline BF was lower in non-responders compared to responders. Blood volume and PSP was found to be similar between carbohydrate antigen (CA), groups median PSP, and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). It showed no correlation between histopathologic response and perfusion parameters.
Responders had an increase in perfusion parameters after chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while the perfusion change in non-responders was minimal. Therefore, perfusion CT scan may help to predict histopathologic response to treatment in PDAC. The perfusion CT scan can predict prognosis during the early stages. Thus, there’s need to ask your physician about the procedure since it fastens CRT.