[Palliative endoscopic treatment of pancreatic cancer]

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer has a very poor chance of being radically resected (20-25%) at the time of diagnosis. Palliation has thus proved to be the mode of treatment adopted in the majority of cases. When a radical surgical resection is not feasible, the endoscopic approach is one of the most common options among the therapeutic methods available. Endoscopic palliation for the treatment of jaundice is regarded as the best choice. It is associated with very low morbidity and no mortality. Hospitalization is short and the treatment is also inexpensive compared to other procedures. The authors report on their experience with endoscopic palliation for the treatment of inoperable pancreatic cancer.