Open AccessOptimal combination of radiofrequency ablation with chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer
Author(s) -
Shinichi Ikuta,
Ami Kurimoto,
Hiroya Iida,
Tsukasa Aihara,
Makiko Takechi,
Norihiko Kamikonya,
Naoaki Yamanaka
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
world journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2218-4333
DOI - 10.5306/wjco.v3.i1.12
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreatic cancer , radiofrequency ablation , chemoradiotherapy , palliative treatment , pancreatitis , radiation therapy , chemotherapy , radiology , ablation , cancer , surgery
Problems have been reported in the treatment of pancreatic cancer with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), such as the friability of the organ itself. This report presents possible solutions to such problems. Although our patient suffered from locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer, she remained well at 18 mo after RFA with no evidence of recurrence. To ameliorate the side effects of RFA, after a palliative bypass procedure, the subject was treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After this regimen had been administered, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan confirmed that RFA is a viable approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer as the chemoradiotherapy had resulted in marked tumor shrinkage and pancreatic fibrosis; i.e., sufficient tumor ablation was achieved without serious RFA-related complications, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic fistulae. The present case suggests that RFA combined with preceding chemoradiotherapy is safe and effective for the palliative treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.