EUS-GUIDED ETHANOL INJECTION THERAPY FOR PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE NEOPLASMS

Abstract

Surgical resection is considered the standard of care for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs). However, the optimal therapeutic approach to small PNETs (≤2 cm in diameter) remains controversial, and the benefits of surgery should be balanced against potential operative complications. Recently, the use of EUS-guided ethanol injection therapy for patients with small PNETs has been reported. This novel therapy may serve as less invasive treatment in patients deemed poor surgical candidates or those rejected for surgery. In this article, we summarize the recent data including that obtained from animal studies and discuss treatment outcomes and current concerns associated with EUS-guided ethanol injection therapy.