Endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatic cancer treatment: Facts and hopes

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths. Since most patients present with advanced disease, its prognosis is dismal. New and more effective therapeutic strategies are needed. Endoscopic ultrasound is currently an indispensable tool for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In recent years, endoscopic ultrasound has evolved to become also a therapeutic procedure. On one hand, the role of endoscopic ultrasound in the management of pancreatic cancer-related symptoms (pain, obstructive jaundice, and gastric outlet obstruction) is now well established. On the other hand, its use as a mean to the delivery of anti-tumor therapies (injecting anti-tumor agents, assisting in radiotherapy, and guiding ablative therapies) is still mostly experimental, despite growing evidence supporting its feasibility, safety and efficacy.