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Review
. 2023 Apr 27;13(9):1561.
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13091561.

Approaching Small Neuroendocrine Tumors with Radiofrequency Ablation

Gemma Rossi  1 , Maria Chiara Petrone  1 , Andrew J Healey  2 , Paolo Giorgio Arcidiacono  1
Affiliations
Review

Approaching Small Neuroendocrine Tumors with Radiofrequency Ablation

Gemma Rossi et al. Diagnostics (Basel). .

Abstract

In recent years, small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) have shown a dramatic increase in terms of incidence and prevalence, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one potential method to treat the disease in selected patients. As well as the heterogeneity of pNET histology, the studies reported in the literature on EUS-RFA procedures for pNETs are heterogeneous in terms of ablation settings (particularly ablation powers), radiological controls, and radiological indications. The aim of this review is to report the current reported experience in EUS-RFA of small pNETs to help formulate the procedure indications and ablation settings. Another aim is to evaluate the timing and the modality of the radiological surveillance after the ablation. Moreover, new studies on large-scale series are needed in terms of the safety and long-term oncological efficacy of RFA on these small lesions.

Keywords: endoscopic ultrasound; neuroendocrine tumors; radiofrequency ablation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) aspect. B-mode (A): hypoechoic lesion with well-defined margins; qualitative and semi-quantitative elastography; (B): pNET as a stiff, blue lesion; pNET at intravenous contrast; (C): early hyperenhancement of the contrast; pNET aspect at power Doppler (D), with a peripheral vessel capsule.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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