Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation approach through the spleen: initial case report for pancreatic tail gastrinoma

Chin J Cancer. 2010 Sep;29(9):836-41. doi: 10.5732/cjc.009.10755.

Abstract

Gastrinoma has a low incidence, and the pancreas-originated gastrinoma is rare. Pancreatic gastrinoma patients with liver metastases have poor prognosis and short survival. Local treatment to reduce the tumor burden helps to improve symptoms and slows down tumor progression for patients with unresectable tumors. We report a case of pancreatic tail gastrinoma with unresectable liver metastases. The patient received a comprehensive minimally invasive interventional treatment, that is, chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for liver metastases, and percutaneous transplenic radiofrequency ablation combined with radioactive 125I seed implantation for pancreatic tail gastrinoma. The patient was followed up for more than 20 months, and showed no clear evidence of tumor recurrence. We explored the safety and feasibility of percutaneous transplenic radiofrequency ablation for unresectable pancreatic tail gastrinoma. This transplenic approach allow more indications for minimally invasive therapy and provides a new treatment option not only for patients with unresectable pancreatic tail tumor but also for patients refusing surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Gastrinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Gastrinoma / secondary
  • Gastrinoma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed