Endoscopic Management of Pancreatobiliary Neoplasms

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are the mainstays of interventional endoscopic practice. EUS occupies a central role in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary neoplasms and offers a platform for a wide range of direct tumor therapies. Initial steps have demonstrated the feasibility of such applications in animal models and pilot studies. Larger clinical trials and incorporation of EUS-based therapies into cooperative cancer studies might demonstrate an impact in the clinical prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. ERCP plays an important role in elucidating indeterminate biliary strictures and in treating patients with malignant biliary obstruction who are symptomatic or have borderline-resectable or unresectable disease. ERCP-directed ablative therapies enable neoadjuvant and palliative intervention in patients with malignant biliary obstruction, in particular perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Additional comparative, multicenter studies are needed to better understand the safety and efficacy of endobiliary brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy, and radiofrequency ablation in patients with pancreatobiliary malignancies.