Radiofrequency ablation of a pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: case report

INTRODUCTION: There is little reported experience of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of pancreatic tumors. The pancreas is surrounded by structures such as the stomach, duodenum, and colon and concerns regarding the risks of thermal injury to these structures have limited the use of RFA for nonresectable pancreatic tumors. CASE REPORT: This brief report describes the application of this technique for the treatment of a metastasis from renal cell carcinoma localized at the body-tail portion of the pancreas in a 77-year-old man and the outcome of the procedure at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, RFA is feasible also for metastatic lesion at the pancreas and it was safely carried out in this case. Long-term follow-up and larger series are necessary to assess the spectrum of complications and the true oncologic efficacy.