Impact of Radiofrequency Ablation on Malignant Biliary Strictures: Results of a Collaborative Registry

Background Radiofrequency ablation of malignant biliary strictures has been offered for the last 3 years, but only limited data have been published. Aim To assess the safety, efficacy, and survival outcomes of patients receiving endoscopic radiofrequency ablation. Methods Between April 2010 and December 2013, 69 patients with unresectable neoplastic lesions and malignant biliary obstruction underwent 98 radiofrequency ablation sessions with stenting. Results A total of 69 patients (22 male, aged 66.1 ± 13.3) were included in the registry. The etiology of malignant biliary stricture included unresectable cholangiocarcinoma ( n = 45), pancreatic cancer ( n = 19), gallbladder cancer ( n = 2), gastric cancer ( n = 1), and liver metastasis from colon cancer ( n = 3). Seventy-eight percentage of patients had prior chemotherapy. All strictures were stented post-radiofrequency ablation with either plastic stents or metal stents. The mean stricture length treated was 14.3 mm. There was a statistically significant improvement in stricture diameter post-ablation ( p