High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for advanced pancreatic cancer

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and survival factors of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted between September 2010 and March 2016. Advanced pancreatic cancer patients with HIFU treatment were enrolled in the analysis to evaluate the efficacy of local ablation, pain relief, and relative complications of HIFU therapy. The main factors that affected Overall survival rate (OSR) and median survival time (MST) were also analyzed. Results: Eighty-six patients received HIFU treatment, with a total of 93 treatments performed, and 83 cases were evaluated. Complete response rate (RR) was 3.6% (3/83) and partial RR was 79.5% (66/83). After HIFU treatment, pain reduction was observed in 74 patients, and the total remission rate was 97.6% (74/76). The total MST was 9.9 months (2-58.7 months), the total OSR in 1 and 2 years was 41.5% and 9.6%, respectively. Minor complications occurred in 97.7% (42/43) patients, including transient fever, abdominal pain, skin burn, and amylase elevation. The univariate analysis showed that the clinical stage, treatment method, ablation efficacy, and combined treatment were significant prognostic factors. Conclusion: HIFU can significantly alleviate cancer-related pain and prolong the survival time of patients with pancreatic cancer.