Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermal cell-destruction technique used when pancreatic cancer cannot be removed by surgery. Non-thermal high energy pulses of electricity aim to destroy cancer cells in the pancreas by giving short pulses of electricity to the tumour. It is applied directly to a pancreatic cancer tumour through special needles. The main difference between this procedure and other thermal techniques for destroying tumours is that it does not produce too much heat or cold and so may cause less damage to surrounding tissue.

In May 2017, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on this treatment and said: ‘This procedure can only be done as part of a research study for pancreatic cancer. This is because there is not enough evidence to be sure how well it works and how safe it is’

We have not yet spoken to anyone who has had this treatment.