Pancreatic cancer, with its late diagnosis and aggressiveness, represents one of the most lethal types of cancer in medicine. For those patients whose tumours are inoperable, the options are limited and the prognosis is bleak. However, a new technique called Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) has emerged as a surgical alternative that increases patient survival.
Unlike thermal ablation techniques which may damage healthy tissue, IRE uses electric pulses to create pores in the tumour cells, without affecting the blood cells or bile ducts surrounding the tumour.
Studies suggest an overall average survival of 27 months or longer for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with IRE.
IRE may reduce the size of the tumour, which, in some cases, may make it a candidate for curative surgery.
Our Surgical and Interventional Radiology team with proven experience in this type of intervention.
Bibliography
Alonso-González, R., Abadal Villayandre, JM., Gonzalez, E. G., Perez, M. Á., Alonso, S. M., & de Gregorio Ariza, M. A. (2024). Irreversible electroporation: pushing the boundaries of ablation. Radiology, 66(1), 47-56. produces immunosuppression, with the consequent increased risk of infectious complications, as well as poor evolution of surgical interventions.
