Prognostic Value of Baseline Computed Tomography (CT) Perfusion Parameters of Pancreatic Cancer for Patients Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy or Surgical Resection

Prognostic Value of Baseline CT Perfusion Parameters of Pancreatic Cancer for Patients Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy or Surgical Resection

The purpose of this study is first, to determine whether baseline perfusion characteristics of pancreatic cancer, as characterized by CT perfusion studies, can predict tumor response to treatment by stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The second goal of this study is to determine whether baseline perfusion characteristics in those patients with resectable pancreatic cancer correlate with immunohistologic markers of angiogenesis such as microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. suspected and/or biopsy-proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and
2. referral to Radiology for pre-treatment baseline pancreatic protocol CT.

Exclusion criteria:

1) are absolute contraindications to intravenous iodinated contrast or CT scan.