Norton Doctor First in Kentucky to Offer Groundbreaking Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Life-changing technology for pancreatic cancer patients has arrived at Norton Healthcare.

Dr. William Evans III, a gastroenterologist with Norton Gastroenterology Consultants, is the first and only physician in Kentucky to provide endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) to patients.

While not a cure, the treatment can extend survival and improve quality of life by reducing the overall treatment burden. It also offers hope to patients with inoperable or difficult-to-treat tumors, providing a targeted way to manage tumor growth and symptoms.

“It signals a milestone in cancer care across Kentucky, providing us a new tool in the fight against pancreatic cancer — one that’s precise and safe for patients,” Evans said. “It opens the door to new possibilities for patients who previously had very few options.”

The procedure combines endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). EUS uses an endoscope equipped with an ultrasound probe to capture high-resolution, real-time images of the gastrointestinal tract and surrounding organs like the pancreas and liver. This allows doctors to pinpoint exact tumor locations.

RFA delivers high-frequency alternating current to destroy or shrink cancerous tumors. Combined, EUS and RFA provide a precise, minimally invasive treatment for patients who are not candidates for surgery.

“Real-time ultrasound guidance allows us to target tumors with remarkable accuracy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue,” Evans said.

The $75,000 technology was funded by the Norton Healthcare Foundation, with support from the Connie Erickson Foundation.

Norton noted that pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and remains difficult to treat, as many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage.

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