Abstract
Background and study aims
Pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are usually managed surgically
but with significant morbidity. As an alternative, endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency
ablation (EUS-RFA) has shown promising results in treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine
tumors. The aim of our study was to assess technical success, effectiveness, and safety
of EUS-RFA in patients with pancreatic metastases of RCC.
Patients and methods
This retrospective, observational study included consecutive patients referred for
EUS-RFA of pancreatic RCC metastases. EUS-RFA was performed through 18G or 19G dedicated
RFA needles. Effectiveness of EUS-RFA treatment was defined by necrosis with no contrast
enhancement or lesion disappearance, determined by contrast-enhanced computed tomography
(CT) scan, at 2 to 5 months post procedure, 1 year, and at the end of follow-up. Safety
was assessed per and post procedure.
Results
Between January 2015 and January 2021, eight patients with 11 lesions were treated
and median time from RCC diagnosis to pancreatic metastases RFA was 8.5 years (1–15).
Mean lesion size was 13.9 mm (± 3.9). Technical success assessed by immediate post
procedure contrast-enhanced CT or Doppler was 100%. At the first CT scan follow-up,
complete response was 45.4% and partial response was 27.3%. At 1 year, complete response
was 45.4% and partial response was 27.3%. Three patients had multiple EUS-RFAs. Adverse
events occurred in 3 patients (mild acute pancreatitis, abdominal pain, and pancreatic
fistula with retro-gastric pseudocyst).
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of EUS-RFA for patients with pancreatic
metastases of RCC.
Keywords
Endoscopic ultrasonography - Pancreas - Intervention EUS
Bibliographical Record
Morgane Stouvenot, Stephane Koch, Alexandre Frontzcak, Christelle D'Engremont, Aurélien
Boinette, Alexandre Doussot, Tristan Maurina, Lucine Vuitton. Effectiveness and safety
of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for pancreatic metastases
of renal cell carcinoma.. Endosc Int Open 2025; 13: a25667350.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2566-7350