Retrospective study examines cryoablation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Researchers retrospectively evaluated 186 adults with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated between August 2022 and December 2024. Patients received cryoablation, systemic therapy, or both; cryoablation was performed with a single ultrasound-guided cryoprobe. The study was prospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300068376). Overall survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier methods, with Cox regression used to identify independent predictors.

Median overall survival was 17.8 months with systemic therapy alone and 18.7 months with cryoablation alone. It was 22.1 months among patients receiving cryoablation plus systemic therapy. Within combination-treatment groups, median survival was 19.8 months with chemotherapy and 25.4 months with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, with or without targeted therapy. Age, tumor location, treatment type, and jaundice were independent predictors of overall survival. The authors also report that nearly all patients experienced marked pain relief after cryoablation.

The findings suggest a possible survival advantage when cryoablation is combined with systemic treatment, but do not establish a causal benefit. The retrospective design, heterogeneous treatment groups, and potential immortal time bias limit comparisons; the reported results require cautious interpretation.