The outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Objectives: After the Prep-02/JSAP-05 trial demonstrated the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using gemcitabine and S-1 (NAC-GS) for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer (RPC), the perioperative treatment for RPC changed significantly. The standard of care for patients with RPC was upfront surgery until now, but NAC-GS spread nationwide after the Prep-02/JSAP-05 trial. Concomitantly, it resulted in an increased need for histopathological diagnosis, leading to an increased use of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

Results: The accuracy and complication rate of EUS-FNA for RPC were 99% and 2.0% (2/100), respectively. The curative resection rate was high, similar to the Prep-02/JSAP-05 trial.

Conclusions: EUS-FNA is safe and effective. Since NAC-GS was introduced only recently, there is need for careful follow-up.