Radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic cancer: a new attractive approach or another unsuccesful technique for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma? A systematic review.

Patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer remain a challenge for current surgical and medical approaches; the overall survival rate of these patients is poor, only 3-6 months in patients with unresectable disease due to locally advanced cancer and metastatic disease, respectively. Using currently available surgical techniques, patients affected by locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma are at high risk for positive margin resection and R1 or R2 resectional surgery; chemoradiation generally determines a minimal symptomatic improvement. Trials of chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy have shown some improvement in symptoms and quality of life, without significant improvement in survival. Thus, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged in recent years as a potential curative approach in these kinds of patients. In this paper, we will review the results of RFA in pancreatic adenocarcinoma on the basis of recent literature considering the feasibility of the technique, its safety, efficacy and its long term results. In brief, all studies demonstrate that the technique is feasible and should be carried out using instrumentation guided by ultrasound. The safety of RFA in pancreatic cancer is under debate as are the long-term results of the technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]