Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Boosts Survival
- – A novel medical procedure is showing promise in extending the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer that cannot be surgically removed.
- IRE involves inserting several electrodes around the tumor and delivering brief, intense bursts of electricity.
- Kim Man-deuk, a professor of image medicine at Severance Hospital, presented findings on the improved IRE technique at the Society of Interventional Radiology meeting in Nashville.He noted that,...
Innovative electrical Procedure Offers Hope for Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A novel medical procedure is showing promise in extending the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer that cannot be surgically removed. the technique,known as irreversible electroporation (IRE),uses high-voltage electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells.
Targeting Cancer with Electricity
IRE involves inserting several electrodes around the tumor and delivering brief, intense bursts of electricity. This creates microscopic pores in the membranes of cancer cells, disrupting their internal balance and leading to cell death. The procedure utilizes significantly higher voltage than standard household electricity, but the pulses are extremely short, lasting only microseconds.
Dr. Kim Man-deuk, a professor of image medicine at Severance Hospital, presented findings on the improved IRE technique at the Society of Interventional Radiology meeting in Nashville.He noted that, unlike some other cancer treatments, IRE does not rely on thermal energy, minimizing damage to surrounding blood vessels and healthy tissue.
IRE is necrotic of tumors and the use of ‘treatment purpose’ that acts like a vaccine,and ‘healing objectives’ that make time to restore health while taking a break during chemotherapy.
Dr. Kim Man-deuk, Severance Hospital
A Multi-Electrode System for Enhanced Precision
A key advancement in the IRE procedure is the development of the EPO multi-electrode system. This system allows for the simultaneous insertion of multiple electrodes, ensuring they are positioned parallel to each other at consistent intervals of 1.5 to 2 centimeters. This precise placement is crucial for effective treatment.
The new system streamlines the procedure, reducing treatment time by more than 50%. “We insert an electrode around the cancer tissue through video tests such as ultrasound, CT, and vascular shooting after general anesthesia,” Dr. Kim explained.
Promising Results in Early Trials
Sence 2022, Dr. Kim has used the EPO multi-electrode system to treat 13 patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. While four patients have since passed away, initial data suggests a significant enhancement in survival rates.
A short-term analysis indicated that the average survival period for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer after the new IRE procedure increased to 20.7 months, compared to 11-14 months with the previous IRE method. The average survival period after diagnosis also rose from 27 months to 43.9 months. One patient, a man in his 60s, has experienced a year without cancer growth without chemotherapy.
Future Applications and Considerations
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has recently recognized the new IRE as a promising medical technology for treating pancreatic and liver cancers.Research is ongoing to expand the use of IRE to patients with larger tumors or cancer that has spread to other organs.
While the new IRE procedure is less expensive than similar treatments abroad,it still carries a cost of 10 million to 15 million won per treatment. Dr. Kim emphasized the importance of even a few extra months of survival for cancer patients, noting that the new procedure offers a valuable alternative to existing treatments.
Innovative Electrical Procedure for Pancreatic Cancer: Your Questions Answered
Q: What is irreversible electroporation (IRE), adn how does it work?
A: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel medical procedure showing promise in treating pancreatic cancer that cannot be surgically removed. The technique uses high-voltage electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells. Several electrodes are inserted around the tumor,delivering brief,intense bursts of electricity. These pulses create microscopic pores in the membranes of cancer cells, disrupting their internal balance and leading to cell death. The pulses are extremely short, lasting only microseconds.
Q: How does IRE differ from other cancer treatments?
A: unlike some other cancer treatments, IRE does not rely on thermal energy. This minimizes damage to surrounding blood vessels and healthy tissue.
Q: What is the EPO multi-electrode system, and why is it important?
A: The EPO multi-electrode system is a key advancement in the IRE procedure. It allows for the simultaneous insertion of multiple electrodes, ensuring they are positioned parallel to each other at consistent intervals of 1.5 to 2 centimeters. This precise placement is crucial for effective treatment.
Q: How does the EPO system improve the IRE procedure?
A: The new system streamlines the procedure, perhaps reducing treatment time by more than 50%. The electrodes are inserted around the cancer tissue through video tests such as ultrasound, CT, and vascular shooting, after general anesthesia.
Dr. Kim explained.
Q: What results have been seen in early trials of the new IRE procedure?
A: Since 2022, Dr. Kim has used the EPO multi-electrode system to treat 13 patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. While four patients have as passed away, initial data suggests a meaningful enhancement in survival rates.
A short-term analysis indicated that the average survival period for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer after the new IRE procedure increased to 20.7 months, compared to 11-14 months with the previous IRE method. The average survival period after diagnosis also rose from 27 months to 43.9 months. One patient, a man in his 60s, has experienced a year without cancer growth without chemotherapy.
Q: Who is Dr. kim Man-deuk, and what is his role in this advancement?
A: Dr. Kim Man-deuk is a professor of image medicine at Severance Hospital. He has presented findings on the improved IRE technique, and has been using the EPO multi-electrode system to treat patients.
Q: What are the future applications of IRE?
A: Research is ongoing to expand the use of IRE to patients with larger tumors or cancer that has spread to other organs. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has recognized the new IRE as a promising medical technology for treating pancreatic and liver cancers.
Q: What is the cost of the IRE procedure?
A: The new IRE procedure costs between 10 million to 15 million won per treatment. Though it is indeed less expensive than similar treatments abroad.
Q: What are the key benefits of IRE for pancreatic cancer patients?
A: The new procedure extends the lives of patients. Dr. Kim emphasized the importance of even a few extra months of survival for cancer patients, noting that the new procedure offers a valuable choice to existing treatments.