Twenty-four studies were included (n=1,145): 2 RCTs (n=71), 1 non-randomised controlled trial (n=21) and 21 uncontrolled retrospective trials (n=1,053).
Short-term analgesic efficacy was extracted from 18 uncontrolled papers (n=989). 89% of patients reported partial or complete pain relief during the first 2 weeks after NCPB. Long-term follow-up of patients (n=273), up to and beyond 3 months, revealed continued benefit in approximately 90% of patients alive at 3 months and in 70-90% until death, even if beyond 3 months post-NCPB.
In the single RCT, which provided information on the short-term efficacy of NCPB in 10 patients with pancreatic cancer, all patients reported partial or complete pain relief 2 weeks later. Longer-term (3-10 weeks) partial relief was reported in 7 cases and minimal relief in 3 cases. The second RCT demonstrated short-term partial or complete pancreatic pain relief in 70-80% of the patients, which lasted beyond 3 months in 60-75% of the patients.
Short-term outcomes show a high rate (86-96%) of successful NCPB regardless of the radiological techniques used.
The most common adverse effects were transient including local pain, diarrhoea and hypotension.