EDISCIENCES

ABSTRACT

Introduction The objective of our study is to present the first Brazilian irreversible electroporation experience in the treatment of unresectable pancreas cancer. Materials and Methods A retrospective study with the first ten patients who underwent percutaneous or surgical IRE to treat unresectable pancreas cancer between March 2021 and july 2021 after a multidisciplinary tumor board approval. The procedures were performed with the electroporation device NanoKnife (AngioDynamics, Queensbury, NY). Preoperative data collection included patient demographics along with previous oncologic treatments and CT or MRI image. Operative and post-operative assessment involved number of probes, number of pulses, initial and final current and immediate and 30-days complications. Results All patients in the study successfully underwent the planned treatment. The mean age was 64,7 years old. 9 patients (90%) had previously undergone chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation therapy with stable disease in 80% and partial response in 20% before IRE. 90% of the procedures was performed surgically and 10% percutaneously CT- guided. The mean number of probes was 2.5 with a total voltage range of 30.1 - 49.9V. The mean procedure time of IRE was 38 minutes. Adverse events occurred in 4 patients (40%), all being grade I-II complications (1 in 48 hours and 3 within 30 days). Conclusions Our initial experience shows that IRE is a feasible and safe option for the treatment of locally advanced pancreas cancer. Short term data seems to be promising but longer follow-up is necessary to verify oncological results.