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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 11/2016

01-11-2016 | Interventional

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for pancreatic carcinoma: evaluation of feasibility, reduction of tumour volume and pain intensity

Authors: Milka Marinova, Maximilian Rauch, Martin Mücke, Roman Rolke, Maria A. Gonzalez-Carmona, Jana Henseler, Henning Cuhls, Lukas Radbruch, Christian P. Strassburg, Lian Zhang, Hans H. Schild, Holger M. Strunk

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 11/2016

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Abstract

Objectives

Prognosis of patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma is extremely poor. They often suffer from cancer-related pain reducing their quality of life. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate feasibility, local tumour response, and changes in quality of life and symptoms in Caucasian patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated by ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Methods

Thirteen patients underwent HIFU, five with stage III, eight with stage IV UICC disease. Ten patients received simultaneous palliative chemotherapy. Postinterventional clinical assessment included evaluation of quality of life and symptom changes using standardized questionnaires. CT and MRI follow-up evaluated the local tumour response.

Results

HIFU was successfully performed in all patients. Average tumour reduction was 34.2 % at 6 weeks and 63.9 % at 3 months. Complete or partial relief of cancer-related pain was achieved in 10 patients (77 %), five of whom required less analgesics for pain control. Quality of life was improved revealing increased global health status and alleviated symptoms. HIFU treatment was well tolerated. Eight patients experienced transient abdominal pain directly after HIFU.

Conclusions

HIFU ablation of pancreatic carcinoma is a feasible, safe and effective treatment with a crucial benefit in terms of reduction of tumour volume and pain intensity.

Key Points

• US-guided HIFU is feasible and safe for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
• HIFU can considerably reduce tumour volume and cancer-related pain.
• Patients treated with HIFU experienced significant and lasting reduction of pain intensity.
• HIFU has a crucial clinical benefit for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for pancreatic carcinoma: evaluation of feasibility, reduction of tumour volume and pain intensity
Authors
Milka Marinova
Maximilian Rauch
Martin Mücke
Roman Rolke
Maria A. Gonzalez-Carmona
Jana Henseler
Henning Cuhls
Lukas Radbruch
Christian P. Strassburg
Lian Zhang
Hans H. Schild
Holger M. Strunk
Publication date
01-11-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 11/2016
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-016-4239-0

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