Published online Jan 21, 2022. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i3.332
Peer-review started: September 28, 2021
First decision: November 18, 2021
Revised: November 22, 2021
Accepted: January 6, 2022
Article in press: January 6, 2022
Published online: January 21, 2022
Core Tip: The prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is poor in advanced stages. Several studies were conducted recently to assess the effect of different treatment options provided through endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). We present a comprehensive review on the role of EUS in unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment while exploring its effect on survival and palliation. We found that EUS-guided intervention is feasible with excellent technical success, limited adverse events, a beneficial effect on cancer-associated pain and an as-yet unknown effect on survival. For EUS-assisted therapies there are still many unknowns and unanswered questions, prompting the need for additional prospective randomized controlled studies comparing the different treatment approaches combined with chemo +/- radiotherapy with respect to success, efficacy, safety and survival.