The
pancreas, a gland located in the abdomen, produces juices that help digest
foods and produces hormones glucagons and insulin, both of which help regulate
blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy associated with the
tissues of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of
cancer deaths in the United States. Unfortunately, most pancreatic cancers are
not curable and are rarely operable.
Current
treatment options for pancreatic cancer include surgery, radiation, and
chemotherapy. Due to the dismal long-term prognosis of patients with advanced
pancreatic cancer, research continues into alternative treatment strategies
that may improve outcomes for patients with this disease.
HIFU
is a technique that utilizes high frequency waves, aiming them at areas of
cancer. The waves create heat in the targeted area and ultimately cause tissues
to die. Various trials are evaluating HIFU for several different types of
cancers.
Researchers
from China recently conducted a small study to evaluate HIFU in the treatment
of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This study included eight patients
whose cancer could not be surgically removed.
Following
treatment with HIFU, all eight patients experienced a relief in pain, including
severe back pain, within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure. Furthermore, the size
of cancer had regressed between 20% and 70% in all patients. Following the
procedure, 50% of the patients had a median survival time of 11 months, while
the other 50% remained alive as long as 16 months following treatment. The
average survival time for all patients was approximately one year (11.25
months). There were no reported side effects.
The
researchers concluded that HIFU may provide a promising treatment strategy for
patients with advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer. Patients with inoperable
pancreatic cancer may wish to speak with their physician regarding their
individual risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial further
evaluating HIFU or other promising therapeutic approaches. Two sources of
information regarding ongoing clinical trials include the National Cancer
Institute (www.cancer.gov) and www.cancerconsultants.com.
Reference:
Wu F, Wang Z-B, Zhu H, et al. Feasibility of US-guided High-Intensity Focused
Ultrasound Treatment in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Initial
Experience. Radiology. 2005; 236:1034-1040
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