Reduced Risk of Severe Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia in Carbon Ion Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Comparative Analysis of Carbon Versus Photon Therapy

Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancers. However, there are no reports comparing the effects of carbon ion radiation therapy (CIRT) and photon beam radiation therapy (RT) on the development of RIL. Differences in RIL after CIRT or photon beam RT and predictive factors for RIL in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer were investigated.