Pancreatic Cancer

Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermal cell-destruction technique used when pancreatic cancer cannot be removed by surgery. Non-thermal high energy pulses of electricity aim to destroy cancer cells in the pancreas by giving short pulses of electricity to the tumour. It is applied directly to a pancreatic cancer tumour through special needles.

The main difference between this procedure and other thermal techniques for destroying tumours is that it does not produce too much heat or cold and so may cause less damage to surrounding tissue.

This procedure is currently only available in clinical trials. For more information about clinical trials, see ‘Clinical trials’.  

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on this treatment, stating that  

‘Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of irreversible electroporation for treating pancreatic cancer is inadequate in quantity and quality. Therefore, this procedure should only be used in the context of research’; ‘Further research, preferably in the form of randomised controlled trials, should assess the effect of the procedure on local tumour control, patient survival, pain control and quality of life’ (NICE, 3 May 2017). 

We have not yet interviewed anyone who has had irreversible electroporation (IRE) treatment for pancreatic cancer. If you have had this treatment and would like to be interviewed please contact us.