Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation under the control of ultrasonography as a new method of treatment of neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors and analgesia option for locally advanced forms of pancreatic cancer. First experience in Russia

Background. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of pancreatic NET up to 20 mm in size under endosonographic control (EUS) may become the method of choice in the treatment of this group of patients, as well as an option for analgesia in patients with locally advanced forms of pancreatic cancer.
Aim. Describe the RFA – EUS technique, evaluate the safety and efficacy of the RFA – EUS method in the treatment of NET of the pancreas, up to 2.0 cm in diameter, and ablation of the celiac plexus in a cohort of patients with locally advanced forms of pancreatic cancer in order to relieve pain.
Materials and Methods. In a prospective ongoing observational study conducted at the FSBI “N. N. Blokhin national Medical Research Center of Oncology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia from September 2022 to June 2023, data of 10 patients with resectable NET and unresectable malignant neoplasms of the pancreas were analyzed. The main method of treatment in 100 % of cases was RFA – EUS, performed for the first time in Russia. All patients at the first stage underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) and endosonographic study with fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-TAB) to verify the diagnosis. At the second stage, all patients underwent RFA – EUS. The main evaluated parameter in the group of patients with NET was the absence of residual tumor tissue after RFA – EUS, according to Endo-US and MRI, the nature of changes in the pancreatic tissue after RFA was additionally assessed – fibrous or necrotic changes in the area of RFA – EUS. The main parameter evaluated in the group of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer was the absence of pain within 8 weeks. and complete withdrawal from opioid analgesics 3–5 days after RFA – EUS.
Results. According to the results of a morphological study, the diagnosis of pancreatic NET was confirmed in 7 (70 %) patients, adenocarcinoma – in 3 (30 %). Technical success, defined as a complete endosonographic and radiological response 3 months after the intervention in the group of patients with pancreatic NET (n = 7; 70 %) and complete withdrawal of opioid analgesics at 3–5 days, with the preservation of the analgesic effect for 8 weeks. after RFA – EUS, was achieved in 100 % of cases (n = 3; 30 %). Return to opioid analgesics after 3 months RFA – EUS in the group of patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (n = 3; 30 %) was noted in 20 % of cases (n = 2), which required re-intervention, in 10 % (n = 1) – it was not possible to estimate the duration of the analgesic effect due to the death of the patient 2 months after RFA – EUS, the median follow-up was 6 months.
Conclusion. The results of the study are the first experience of using RFA – EUS in the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the pancreas. EUS-guided RFA is an effective, minimally invasive and safe treatment for pancreatic NET, up to 2.0 cm in diameter, as well as an analgesic option for advanced pancreatic cancer. To determine the indications, contraindications and effectiveness of RFA in the radical and symptomatic treatment of malignant neoplasms of the pancreas, it is necessary to conduct large prospective multicenter studies.