EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation for small abdominal tumors

Multi-center Prospective Study on EUS-guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Solid Abdominal Neoplasms.

NA · Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT03221335

This trial will try endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation to treat small solid tumors (under 5 cm) in the liver, stomach, kidney, or adrenal glands in adults who are not candidates for surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong (other)
Locations1 site (Hong Kong)
Trial IDNCT03221335 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, multicenter study of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for solid abdominal neoplasms under 5 cm. Consecutive eligible adult patients at participating high-volume centers will undergo EUS-guided RFA using a 19-gauge electrode and a VIVA RF generator. The primary outcome is overall adverse event rate, with secondary outcomes including mortality, technical success, completion ablation rate, and 1- and 3-year overall and disease-free survival. Key exclusions include coagulopathy, pregnancy, significant liver cirrhosis/portal hypertension, and inability to consent or adhere to follow-up.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with solid tumors of the liver, stomach, kidney, or adrenal under 5 cm who are unsuitable for surgical resection or decline surgery and are eligible for endoscopic intervention.

Not a fit: Patients with coagulopathy, significant liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension, pregnancy, or inability/unwillingness to consent or follow up are unlikely to be candidates or to receive benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a minimally invasive option to destroy small abdominal tumors for patients who cannot have surgery.

How similar studies have performed: EUS-guided RFA has shown feasibility in animal models and small human series (including pancreatic cases), but large multicenter outcome data are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 years-old or above
* Suffering from solid neoplasms of the stomach, liver, kidney or adrenals (\<5cm in largest diameter) that is indicated for treatment.
* Unsuitable for surgery, due to one (or more) of the following items:

  * ASA score \> II\*
  * An alternative advanced malignancy
  * Unsuitable for surgery upon expert's opinion for any other reason
* Healthy individuals who are not keen for surgical resection
* Eligible for endoscopic intervention
* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Coagulopathy (international normalized ratio \>1.3, partial thromboplastin time greater than twice that of control), platelet count \<50,000x103/uL
* Pregnancy
* Patients with a poor mental condition or mental retardation, unable to understand the nature and possible consequences of the study
* Patients unwilling to undergo follow-up assessments
* Patients with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and/or gastric varices.

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Digestive System Neoplasms, EUS-guided RFA, liver, stomach, adrenal, kidney tumour

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.