title: Radiofrequency ablation of unresectable pancreatic carcinoma: feasibility, efficacy and safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Unresectable pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis. Palliative surgery and chemo-radiotherapy have not produced significant improvement in survival. We evaluated the safety and the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for cytoreduction of unresectable tumors of the pancreas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiofrequency ablation was performed in three patients with histologically proven unresectable cancer of the pancreas: two females and one male; 48, 60, and 66 years of age (mean 58 years). The sizes of the pancreatic tumors were 5.0, 6.5, and 8.0 cm (mean 6.5 cm), respectively. Two patients underwent radiofrequency ablation during an open operation while one patient had percutaneous CT guided radiofrequency ablation. All had endobiliary stenting for obstructive jaundice. Partial necrosis (up to 3 cm) of the tumor was achieved in all cases. There was no major morbidity or mortality. Self-limiting minor complications occurred in two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency ablation is a local ablative method used with increasing frequency and may be used safely for cytoreduction in locally advanced inoperable pancreatic malignancies. Further studies are required to ascertain whether this can improve survival/quality of life alone or in combination with other therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal, MP, India. subodhvarshney@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Subodh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varshney
authors.forename: Ajit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sewkani
authors.forename: Sandesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Sorabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.forename: Saleem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Kailash
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000517:prevention & control; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011788:Quality of Life; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome