When facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, patients and their families may feel overwhelmed by complex treatment options. However, a groundbreaking approach called radiofrequency ablation, also known as RFA, provides an effective pancreatic cancer treatment for those who may not be ideal candidates for traditional surgery.

What Is Radiofrequency Ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation is a leading advancement in targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer. Unlike major surgery, this minimally invasive procedure uses targeted heat to destroy cancer cells directly within the tumor. The process works by placing a specialized tube called a catheter through the body and into the tumor site, where it delivers controlled radiofrequency energy that generates precise heat, killing cancer cells.

The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. Once the cancer cells are destroyed, they eventually become scar tissue.

Effective Clinical Results

Recent clinical trials have shown promise for this pancreatic cancer treatment approach, especially in patients for whom surgery is not an option.

• Immediate success: Patients who underwent RFA treatment experienced complete disappearance of their lesions, with no symptoms of recurrence during their annual follow-up appointments.
• Long-term benefits: The positive effects were not only immediate but sustained over months of observation, with patients experiencing no negative events from the treatment.

Who Can Benefit From RFA?

This innovative pancreatic cancer treatment is particularly valuable for patients who:

• Are not candidates for traditional surgery due to other health conditions
• Prefer a less-invasive treatment approach
• Want to avoid the extended recovery time associated with major surgery
• Are looking for an outpatient treatment option

The Treatment Experience

Your health care team will explain how to prepare for pancreatic cancer surgery. This may include:

• Fasting. You may be asked to stop eating and drinking for at least six hours before the procedure, so your stomach is empty.
• Colon cleansing. If your endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for your RFA will be done anally, you will need to clean out your colon. This may include a colon cleansing solution or a liquid diet and laxatives.
• Medicines. Your health care team may tell you to stop taking some of your medicines and supplements before an EUS-RFA procedure. Tell your health care team about all prescription and nonprescription medicines you take and include any herbal supplements or vitamins.
• Getting home. Medicines that help you relax or sleep during EUS-RFA can make your movements a little slow or make it difficult to think clearly after the procedure. Have someone to drive you home and stay with you for the day after the procedure. 

The procedure typically allows patients to return home within hours of treatment, eliminating the need for extended hospital stays. Most patients require only a single treatment session, though follow-up appointments are scheduled at four weeks and then annually to monitor progress and ensure no new masses develop.

While some patients may experience mild abdominal discomfort following the procedure, most patients reported that this is generally short-lived and manageable.

Looking Forward

For patients and families navigating a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, radiofrequency ablation offers the possibility of effective tumor destruction without the risks and recovery time associated with major surgery.

Norton Healthcare Foundation

The technology for this procedure is funded through a grant from the Norton Healthcare Foundation. Learn how you can support innovation at Norton Healthcare. The Norton Healthcare Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the not-for-profit Norton Healthcare system’s adult services.