Ces radiol. 2008, 62(4):361-365

Possibilities of radiofrequency ablation of the pancreatic tumors - first experiencesOriginal article

Tomáš Andrašina¹, Jan Hlavsa², Vlastimil Válek¹, Zdeněk Kala², Jiří Neubauer¹

¹ Radiologická klinika MU a FN, Brno

² Chirurgická klinika MU a FN, Brno

Aim: Despite advances in surgical and pharmaceutical oncologic treatment, pancreatic carcinoma is in principle incurable disease. Role of radiology lies in precise diagnosis of tumor process and in treating of cancer disease complications. In preoperative phase it means mostly localization of pancreatic lesion, staging and determining local resecability. The method of radiofrequency ablation of the pancreas focuses on extension of survival of the patient with inoperable state of tumor.

Method: The alternative intervention is indicated to patients with inoperable pancreatic tumor without distant metastases. Since 2007 radiofrequency ablation was performed on six patients, five ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreatic head and one with malignant neuroendocrine tumor of body.

Results: Article presents first clinical experience with radiofrequency ablation in inoperable pancreatic tumors. The technical success was achieved in all cases. Postoperative phase was complicated in 2 patients. In the first case hospitalization time was prolonged due to duodenal secretion from drain. In the second case following intervention under general anaesthesia was necessary - evacuation of subfascial abscess with prolongation of hospitalization time to 38 days.

Conclusion: In our group of patients radiofrequency ablation of locally advanced inoperable pancreatic tumors proves to be relatively save palliative procedure.

Keywords: palliative care, pancreatic cancer, radiofrequency ablation

Accepted: October 15, 2008; Published: December 1, 2008  Show citation