Role of endoscopic ultrasound in anticancer therapy: Current evidence and future perspectives

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Oncology
• Medical Imaging and Interventional Procedures

Background:

• Gastrointestinal tumors pose a significant global health challenge, driving the need for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is crucial for diagnosing gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers and is expanding into therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of EUS-guided therapeutic interventions for digestive system malignancies.
• To highlight the role of EUS in managing pancreatic cancer, hepatic tumors, gastrointestinal tumors, and pancreatic cysts.

Main Methods:

• Review of evidence-based therapeutic methods guided by EUS.
• Focus on radiofrequency ablation, brachytherapy, fine needle injection, celiac plexus neurolysis, and endoscopic submucosal dissection.
• Analysis of EUS applications in pancreatic cancer, hepatic tumors, gastrointestinal tumors, and pancreatic cysts.

Main Results:

• EUS is increasingly utilized for therapeutic interventions in digestive system cancers.
• Established methods like RFA and ESD are now effectively EUS-guided.
• EUS aids in both treatment and symptom management, particularly for pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a versatile tool with expanding therapeutic capabilities in gastroenterology.
• EUS-guided interventions offer promising options for managing various digestive system malignancies and related conditions.
• Further research into EUS-based therapies can improve patient outcomes for gastrointestinal cancers.