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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Radiofrequency ablation has a valuable therapeutic role in metastatic VIPoma
Susan J Moug1, Edward Leen, Paul G Horgan
1Department of Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Summary
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation offers a safe and effective treatment for metastatic VIPoma, a rare pancreatic tumor. This minimally invasive technique repeatedly resolved severe symptoms and biochemical abnormalities in a patient, demonstrating its clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas) are rare pancreatic islet cell tumors.
- Metastatic VIPoma can cause life-threatening biochemical disturbances.
- Optimal treatment for metastatic VIPoma is not well-established.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old female with a history of pancreatic VIPoma developed a liver metastasis.
- The patient presented with severe watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and renal failure.
- Initial treatment involved distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.
Findings:
- Open radiofrequency (RF) ablation successfully resolved symptoms and biochemical abnormalities within 48 hours.
- Percutaneous RF ablation was later used to treat a recurrent liver metastasis.
- The patient remained disease- and symptom-free for 10 months post-second ablation.
Implications:
- RF ablation can safely and effectively manage metastatic VIPoma.
- This technique provides rapid and repeatable symptom resolution.
- RF ablation represents a viable therapeutic option for recurrent metastatic VIPoma.
