Published online May 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i20.3288
Revised: December 15, 2005
Accepted: December 22, 2005
Published online: May 28, 2006
AIM: To detect the therapeutic effects of chemical destruction of celiac ganglion in patients with pancreatic carcinoma with intractable pain.
METHODS: Ninety-seven cases with advanced pancreatic carcinoma received chemical destruction of celiac ganglion-5 mL pure alcohol injection around celiac artery under ultrasonic guidance. The changes of visual analogue scale (VAS), serum substance P (Sub P), β-endopeptide (β-EP) and T-lymphocyte subtypes level were compared between pre- and post-therapy.
RESULTS: Successful rate of puncture was 98.7%, with one failure. No serious complications such as traumatic pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula, abdominal cavity hemorrhage or peritoneal infection occurred. VAS, serum Sub P and β-EP level significantly changed after treatment (8.0 ± 2.3 vs 4.6 ± 2.1, 254.1 ± 96.7 vs 182.4 ± 77.6, 3.2 ± 0.8 vs 8.8 ± 2.1, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01) with complete relief rate 54.2%, partial relief rate 21.9%, ineffective rate 12.5% and recurrent rate 10.7%. The T-lymphocyte subtypes level remarkably increased when compared with that of pre-therapy (46.7 ± 3.7 vs 62.5 ± 5.5, P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that chemical destruction of celiac ganglion under ultrasonic guidance is highly safe, and can evidently relieve cancer pain and improve the cellular immunity in patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma.