High intensity focused ultrasound: A noninvasive therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Table 2 Studies of pulsed-wave high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

Study	n	Patients	Treatment Method	HIFU Device	Outcome and Survival	Complications
Wang et al[29]	15	Late-stage pancreatic cancer, unresectable, average tumor size 5.6 cm (2.2-8 cm)	Multiple-session HIFU monotherapy, average sessions 8.1 (2-12)	Pulsed HIFU irradiation, FEB-BY HIFU System	Pain relief: 13/13 (100%)No survival data available	Mild abdominal pain: 2/15 (13%)
Li et al[30]	25	Advanced pancreatic cancer, unresectable, average tumor size unclear	One-session HIFU: 19 pts; 2-session HIFU: 6 pts; average sessions 1.2	Pulsed HIFU irradiation, FEB-BY HIFU System	Performance statue and pain improvement: 23/25 (92%); median overall survival: 10 mo; 1-year survival: 42%	First-degree skin burn: 3/25 (12%)
Ge et al[31]	20	A retrospective study for unresectable pancreatic cancer, average tumor size (4.5 ± 1.2) × (3.5 ± 1.0) cm	Multiple-session HIFU monotherapy; average HIFU session 9.3 ± 4.1	Pulsed HIFU irradiation, FEB-BY HIFU System	Pain relief and survival data not reported	Mild abdominal pain: 5/25 (25%); subcutaneous fat callus: 4/25 (20%); 2nd-degree skin burn: 1/25 (5%); pancreatic effusion: 1/25 (5%)
Xiong et al[32]	89	A retrospective study for unresectable pancreatic cancer. Tumor size not reported	Multiple-session HIFU monotherapy: 84 pts;HIFU + gemcitabine: 5 pts; HIFU sessions ranging 4-10	Pulsed HIFU irradiation, FEB-BY HIFU System	Pain relief: 54/67(80%), median survival: 26.0 mo (stage II), 11.2 mo (stage III) and 5.4 mo (stage IV)	Superficial skin burns: 3/89 (3%); subcutaneous fat sclerosis: 8/89 (6%); asymptomatic pseudocyst: 1/89 (1%)
Lee et al[33]	12	Advanced pancreatic cancer, unresectable, average tumor size 3.5 cm (2.3-5.3 cm)	Multiple-session HIFU monotherapy: 9 pts; HIFU + gemcitabine: 3 pts; average HIFU sessions: 4.2 (1-18)	Pulsed HIFU irradiation, FEB-BY HIFU System	Median survival for those receiving HIFU alone: 10.3 mo; Overall survival for 3 patients receiving the combined treatment: 26.0, 21.6 and 10.8 mo, respectively	Pancreatitis: 1/12 (8%); skin burn: 5/12 (41%); subcutaneous fat sclerosis: 2/12 (16%)

HIFU: High intensity focused ultrasound; pts: Patients.