Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Ablation of Premalignant Pancreatic Cysts and Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is on the rise and expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. Up to a one-fifth of pancreatic cancers may arise from mucinous pancreatic cysts, which are frequently present in the general population. Currently, surgical resection is the only curative approach for pancreatic cancer and its cystic precursors. However, only a dismal proportion of patients are eligible for surgery. Therefore, novel treatment approaches to treat pancreatic cancer and precancerous pancreatic cysts are needed. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided ablation is an emerging minimally invasive method to treat pancreatic cancer and premalignant pancreatic cysts. Different ablative modalities have been used including alcohol, chemotherapy agents, and radiofrequency ablation. Cumulative data over the past two decades have shown that endoscopic ablation of mucinous pancreatic cysts can lead to cyst resolution in a significant proportion of the treated cysts. Furthermore, novel data are emerging about the ability to endoscopically ablate early and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In this review, we aim to summarize the available data on the efficacy and safety of the different EUS-ablation modalities for the management of premalignant pancreatic cysts and pancreatic cancer.