Peng SY, Li ZY, Cai HQ. Advances in radiofrequency ablation for pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(1): 113764 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i1.113764]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Hong-Qiao Cai, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China. hongqiaocai@jlu.edu.cn
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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Minireviews
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jan 15, 2026 (publication date) through Jan 12, 2026
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Publication Name
World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
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1948-5204
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Peng SY, Li ZY, Cai HQ. Advances in radiofrequency ablation for pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(1): 113764 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i1.113764]
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jan 15, 2026; 18(1): 113764 Published online Jan 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i1.113764
Advances in radiofrequency ablation for pancreatic cancer
Si-Yu Peng, Zong-Yang Li, Hong-Qiao Cai
Si-Yu Peng, Department of Gastrocolorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Zong-Yang Li, Hong-Qiao Cai, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Author contributions: Cai HQ designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Li ZY contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; Peng SY contributed to the writing, and editing the manuscript, and review of literature.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have claimed no conflicts.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hong-Qiao Cai, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China. hongqiaocai@jlu.edu.cn
Received: September 3, 2025 Revised: September 20, 2025 Accepted: November 25, 2025 Published online: January 15, 2026 Processing time: 131 Days and 20.1 Hours
Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), particularly endoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA (EUS-RFA), has emerged as a promising minimally invasive approach for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, especially in patients with locally advanced or unresectable disease. This review outlines recent technological developments in EUS-RFA, including innovations in energy delivery systems, probe design, and real-time thermal monitoring, which have improved the precision and safety of the procedure. Clinical studies combining EUS-RFA with chemotherapy have demonstrated encouraging outcomes, with improvements in overall survival, progression-free survival, tumor necrosis, and symptom control compared to chemotherapy alone. Additionally, RFA-induced tumor antigen release and modulation of the tumor microenvironment suggest a potential synergistic role with immunotherapy. Despite its promise, the widespread adoption of EUS-RFA is limited by a lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials and standardized treatment protocols.
Core Tip: This article highlights the evolving role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Advances in energy delivery, probe design, and real-time imaging have enhanced the safety and precision of EUS-RFA. When combined with chemotherapy, EUS-RFA shows promise in improving survival outcomes and symptom control. Moreover, its immunomodulatory effects offer a novel rationale for combination with immunotherapy. Despite encouraging results, further randomized trials and standardization of protocols are needed to establish EUS-RFA as a mainstream component of pancreatic cancer treatment.
