The preliminary results of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.Methods In this study,25 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer received high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment.Liver and kidney function,CA19-9 levels,tumor size changes,pain relief,survival rate before and after treatment were evaluated.Results The blood routine test,liver and kidney function,blood amylase did not alter significantly after HIFU treatment in all patients.The CA19-9 level of 12 patients decreased.The appetite of 15 patients improved,5 patients with body weight gain after HIFU treatment.Pain was relieved after HIFU treatment in 18 cases,pain relief rate was 72％ (18/25).In 15 cases tumor ablation volume ＞ 90％ after HIFU treatment,5 patients with tumor ablation volume ＞ 50％,tumor ablation effective rate was 80％ (20/25).There were no major complications such as acute pancreatitis,gastrointestinal injury after HIFU treatment.After HIFU treatment,the median survival period was 8 months,1 year survival rate was 30％.Conclusions High-intensity focused ultrasound is a safe and effective method of palliative treatment for advanced inoperable pancreatic cancer. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms;  High intensity focused ultrasound ablation;  Palliative care