High-intensity focused ultrasound in treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer: Effectiveness and prognostic factors

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, and investigate the prognostic factors.Methods: Eighty patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer received HIFU therapy. The therapeutic response was evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival, and the progression-free survival (PFS) time and PFS rate were calculated. The prognostic factors were determined by log-rank test and COX regression analysis.Results: The response rate was 5.0%, and the disease control rate was 70.0%. The median PFS time was 6 months (range: 0-22 months); the 6-month, 1-year and 2-year PFS rates were 45.0%, 12.5% and 0.0%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that TNM stage, liver metastasis and liver function were independent prognostic factors (all P < 0.05).Conclusion: HIFU therapy can improve the PFS of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. TNM stage, liver metastasis and liver function are independent prognostic factors related to PFS. DOI:10.3781/j.issn.1000-7431.2016.33.1056