Pancreatic cancer is a disease that develops in the pancreas, an organ responsible for supporting digestion and regulating blood sugar levels. This condition is often difficult to detect early because its initial symptoms are usually non-specific. As a result, many patients are only diagnosed once the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, causing symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive problems.
One of the modern innovations in the management of advanced-stage pancreatic cancer is High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). HIFU is a non-invasive procedure that uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to precisely destroy tumor tissue. The ultrasound energy is focused directly on the cancer area, generating high heat that damages cancer cells without the need for surgical incisions.
Today, HIFU technology is available at RS Mandaya Royal Puri as a more minimally invasive treatment alternative. In addition to helping control tumor growth, this therapy focuses on relieving pain, which is often the main complaint in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
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When Can HIFU Be Used for Pancreatic Cancer?
HIFU therapy is generally considered for patients with the following conditions:
- Locally advanced pancreatic cancer that has spread to nearby tissues but not to distant organs.
- Inoperable tumors, for example when the tumor is located close to major blood vessels or when the patient’s condition does not allow major surgery.
- Patients with limited treatment options.
- Patients experiencing severe pain due to tumor pressure.
- Cases where tumor size needs to be controlled or reduced.
Several clinical studies also suggest that HIFU may offer additional survival benefits for certain groups of patients.
How Does HIFU Work for Pancreatic Cancer?
HIFU works by destroying tumor tissue through heat without surgery. The mechanism includes:
- Precise tumor targeting:: Ultrasound waves are focused directly on the tumor area using imaging guidance such as ultrasound (USG).
- Raising tumor tissue temperature: When the energy is concentrated at a single point, the temperature can rise to more than 80°C.
- Destroying cancer cells (thermal ablation): The intense heat causes cancer cells to die. Over the following weeks to months, the treated tumor tissue gradually shrinks.
Advantages of HIFU for Pancreatic Cancer
HIFU therapy offers several benefits, including:
- No incisions or major surgery required.
- Relatively lower risk of complications.
- Effective pain relief, including in patients with metastasis.
- Helps reduce tumor size.
- Potential to improve patients’ quality of life.
- Possible additional survival benefits, especially for patients with limited treatment options.
Further clinical research is ongoing to compare standard therapy with a combination of standard therapy and HIFU in advanced pancreatic cancer.
What Do Clinical Studies Say About HIFU?
According to the study titled Clinical Effectiveness and Potential Survival Benefit of US-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Advanced-Stage Pancreatic Cancer, HIFU therapy has shown promising results.
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84% of Patients Experienced Significant Pain Reduction
Out of 50 patients who underwent HIFU therapy, 84% reported significant relief from abdominal pain starting from the early stages of treatment. This pain-relieving effect persisted during follow-up, both in patients with and without metastasis.
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Tumor Size Reduced Within Weeks
Tumor volume decreased by an average of approximately 37.8% after 6 weeks and reached about 57.9% after 6 months. This indicates that HIFU not only relieves symptoms but also directly impacts tumor size.
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Potential Survival Benefit
The median overall survival was approximately 16 months from diagnosis, with a median progression-free survival of around 16.9 months. These findings suggest potential additional benefits for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
HIFU Specialist for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
HIFU procedures at RS Mandaya Royal Puri are performed by dr. Sugianto Santoso, Sp.Rad (K)RI, a radiologist with a subspecialty in interventional radiology and extensive experience in minimally invasive procedures for various diseases, including cancer.
In his practice, he uses imaging guidance such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and fluoroscopy to ensure precise and safe treatment. He is also experienced in interventional procedures such as Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE), Radiofrequency (RF) Ablation, and Microwave Ablation for tumor management, as well as the implementation of HIFU as a modern non-invasive therapy.
Dr. Sugianto Santoso, Sp.Rad, (K)RI is available at RS Mandaya Royal Puri on:
- Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (WIB)
- Thursday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (WIB)
To make your visit easier, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment service, or download the Care Dokter app from Google Play and the App Store to check queue numbers and access complete information.
