Published: October 10, 2025
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Life-changing, advanced cancer technology has arrived at Norton Audubon Hospital for patients with pancreatic cancer.
William B. Evans III, M.D., gastroenterologist with Norton Gastroenterology Consultants of Louisville, recently became the first and only physician in Kentucky to perform endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) for pancreatic cancer.
“It’s an honor to be the first in the state to deliver this significant treatment to patients,” Dr. Evans said. “It signals a milestone in cancer care across Kentucky, providing us a new tool in the fight against pancreatic cancer — one that’s precise and safe for patients. It opens the door to new possibilities for patients who previously had very few options.”
EUS-RFA is a specialized procedure combining two technologies: endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). With EUS, physicians use an endoscope equipped with an ultrasound probe to capture real-time, high-resolution images of the gastrointestinal tract and surrounding organs, such as the pancreas and liver. This ultrasound guidance allows physicians to pinpoint exact locations within the body.
RFA delivers a high-frequency alternating current that aims to destroy (ablate) cancerous tumors in the pancreas. Depending on the patient’s case, this process can either shrink or destroy the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. When combined, EUS and RFA create a powerful tool for reaching, visualizing and treating areas with precision and minimal invasion.
While not a cure for pancreatic cancer, EUS-RFA offers new hope to patients with inoperable or difficult-to-treat tumors, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life, while reducing risks associated with traditional surgery.
In many cases, EUS-RFA effectively ablates tissue with a single treatment session, decreasing the overall treatment burden on the patient. In cases where surgery is not an option, EUS-RFA provides a targeted alternative to manage tumor growth and symptoms.
“What makes this procedure so exciting is the combination of precision and minimal invasiveness,” Dr. Evans said. “Real-time ultrasound guidance allows us to target tumors with remarkable accuracy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. For patients who aren’t candidates for surgery, this gives us a powerful option.”
The $75,000 in funding necessary for the EUS-RFA technology was made possible by the Norton Healthcare Foundation with additional support from the Connie Erickson Foundation. The gift was made in memory of Connie Erickson, who lost her life to pancreatic cancer in 2015.
“We are deeply grateful to the Connie Erickson Foundation for their extraordinary generosity,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “Their gift will directly change the lives of so many others by helping us bring cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatment options to patients facing pancreatic cancer. This donation is more than a financial contribution — it’s an investment in hope, innovation and better outcomes for our community.”
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with many patients diagnosed at an advanced stage. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with an estimated 52,000 deaths projected for 2025. The five-year combined survival rate for pancreatic cancer is 13% but improves to 44% when diagnosed at a localized stage.
For more information about EUS-RFA and pancreatic cancer treatment options at Norton Healthcare, click here.