Trial Comparing EUS-guided Radiofrequency Ablation vs. EUS-guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis

Pancreatic cancer is the second most common gastrointestinal malignancy and fourth leading cause of cancer mortality. The incidence in the US is estimated at 8.8 per 100,000 population with 30,000 new cases diagnosed annually. The prognosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer is poor; overall 1 and 5-year survivals do not exceed 20 and 4%, respectively. For the minority of patients (15%) who are resectable at diagnosis, the median survival is 10-20 months, with 5-year survival of 10-25%.

Abdominal discomfort is a predominant symptom in patients with pancreatic cancer. Approximately 75% have pain at diagnosis and over 90% in advanced stages. Therefore a major aspect of palliation is provision of adequate pain control. The standard approach to pain management is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 3-step ladder, beginning with non-opioid analgesics (e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen), followed by weak opioids and then finally strong opioids as necessary. Virtually all patients require escalating doses of opioids during their disease. Adjuvant therapies, including other medications (e.g. trazodone, tricyclic anti-depressants, and bisphosphonates), palliative radionucleotides, external beam radiation, or chemotherapy may also be useful for symptomatic control.

In the last 10 years, EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) has been widely practiced for alleviation of pain in patients with pancreatic cancer and has been shown to be effective. At our institution, radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA), which involves ablation of celiac ganglia or celiac plexus using a radiofrequency catheter, is being performed to alleviate abdominal pain in pancreatic cancer patients. However currently no comparative studies exist comparing EUS-CPN with EUS-RFA for pain alleviation in pancreatic cancer patients.

In this randomized trial, the investigators will be comparing EUS-CPN with EUS-RFA for pain alleviation in pancreatic patients, in order to determine which technique is better at improving pain in pancreatic cancer patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 19 years
• The subject is capable of understanding and complying with protocol requirements.
• The subject is able to understand and willing to sign an informed consent form prior to the initiation of any study procedures.
• Abdominal pain typical for pancreatic cancer
• Cross-sectional imaging findings consistent with pancreatic cancer
• Pancreatic cancer confirmed by EUS-FNA in patients referred for suspected pancreatic cancer OR Patients with known diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
• Inoperable pancreatic cancer as determined during EUS or prior CT

Exclusion criteria

• Age <19 years
• Unable to obtain consent for the procedure from the patient
• Unable to safely undergo EUS for any reason
• Irreversible coagulopathy (Prothrombin time > 18 secs, platelet count < 50,000/ml)
• Previous CPN or other neurolytic block that could affect pancreatic cancer-related pain or had implanted epidural or intrathecal analgesic therapy
• Another cause for abdominal pain such as pseudocyst, ulcer or other intraabdominal disorder
• Pregnant women will be excluded. This will be confirmed by self-report. Pregnancy in females of childbearing potential will be determined by routine preoperative urine or serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) testing.