GULF Supports 18 Million Baht to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Enabling ASEAN’s First Scarless Pancreatic Tumor Ablation

The advancement of medical knowledge and technology has significantly improved the efficiency of patient care. A prime example is the scarless treatment for pancreatic tumors using Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation (EUS–RFA). This innovative medical technology offers a non-surgical alternative, allowing patients to recover quickly, resume daily activities, eat normally, and be discharged within 24 to 48 hours. Recognizing the importance of this advancement, Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF) has provided18 million baht in funding to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, and the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, through the Excellence Center for GI Endoscopy. This significant contribution facilitated the acquisition of the EUS–RFA technology, which empowered King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital’s medical team to successfully pioneer the use of scarless EUS-RFA technology for pancreatic tumor ablation, marking a historic first in both Thailand and the entire ASEAN region.

Scarless Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation (EUS-RFA) is a medical innovation that combines endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to precisely treat tumors or lesions within abdominal organs, particularly the pancreas, liver, lymph nodes, and bile ducts. This highly accurate procedure provides real-time visualization, allowing physicians to precisely identify the lesion and guide a special needle with RFA electrodes directly to the target. Heat energy is then delivered to destroy the tumor locally, with minimal impact on surrounding tissues. EUS-RFA can also be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, or as a primary treatment for patients who are not candidates for surgery.

Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi, Chief Executive Officer, GULF, stated, “GULF Group has consistently demonstrated its commitment to advancing education and public health, notably through the provision of essential medical equipment to medical school and state hospitals. We are honored to contribute this cutting-edge technology to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. This innovation holds immense potential to significantly enhance patient outcomes and save countless lives. Our support is strategically aimed at bolstering technological readiness and elevating the capabilities of medical professionals. It is our firm belief that this will ensure patients receive the most effective medical care, simultaneously increasing the hospital’s long-term capacity to treat a greater number of individuals, thereby fostering improved health and delivering maximum benefit for both patients and the institution.”

Assoc. Prof. Chanchai Sittipunt, Director of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society and Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, expressed, “King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has long been at the forefront of adopting advanced technologies for patient treatment, consistently yielding excellent results. The purpose of today’s event is to disseminate critical knowledge to the public, medical practitioners, and nursing professionals regarding the application of endoscopic technology for the non-surgical treatment of pancreatic tumors. We extend our profound gratitude to GULF for their continuous and vital support in equipping our facilities with indispensable medical instruments.”

Assoc. Prof. Pradermchai Kongkam, Head of Pancreatic Disease Research Center, and Assistant to the President, Planning and Budgeting, Chulalongkorn University, shared, “The conventional treatment for pancreatic tumors involves open abdominal surgery for tumor excision, a complex, protracted major operation fraught with risks of hemorrhage and various complications, often necessitating intensive care post-procedure.”

“The pancreas is instrumental in producing insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Patients afflicted with pancreatic tumors frequently exhibit elevated insulin concentrations, leading to persistent hypoglycemia. In mild cases, patients may experience fatigue, dizziness, frequent hunger, shaky hands, palpitations, and sweating. Some patients have to eat as often as six times a day to prevent low blood sugar, which can lead to rapid weight gain. In severe cases, the condition can be life-threatening, causing seizures or loss of consciousness. Consequently, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, has adopted EUS-RFA as a surgical alternative for this patient cohort. This technique facilitates expedited recovery and superior blood sugar control. Patients typically resume daily activities and normal dietary intake, with the majority discharged within 24-48 hours. This technological advancement represents a pioneering achievement, being the first of its kind implemented in both Thailand and the ASEAN region.”

A patient who underwent scarless pancreatic tumor ablation technology shared her experience, “I work as a manicurist. While working, I would feel tired quickly and sometimes experience heart palpitations, sweating, and even fainting. But if I drank or ate something sweet, I would feel better. At first, I thought it was just low blood sugar. But after a checkup at a private hospital, I was diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor. The treatment cost was 200,000 to 300,000 baht, which led me to be referred to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.”

“Before the procedure, I researched the treatment options and found that Chulalongkorn Hospital had a medical equipment that could ablate the pancreatic tumor without surgery. I consulted with the doctor to compare the options and ultimately chose the scarless endoscopic procedure because the recovery time was short, which was important for me to get back to work. The best part is that after the treatment, I could resume my normal daily routine and eat as usual.”

Similarly, another patient treated with the same technology said, “Since high school and university, I would feel dizzy and have heart palpitations. Sometimes I would even faint, which happened more than three or four times a year. Most recently, in 2023, I fainted and was treated at a hospital in Chachoengsao province. A CT scan revealed a tumor in my pancreas, and I underwent surgery to remove it.”

“About five days after the surgery, I still felt a bit disoriented, had constant low blood sugar, and needed an IV drip for a month. I was then referred to Chulalongkorn Hospital. After a detailed CT scan and MRI, it was found that some of the pancreatic tumor remained. Since another surgery would be too risky, I was treated with the endoscopic tumor ablation technology. My recovery time was very short, about two days, compared to the previous surgery. I could return to work and my daily routine, and most importantly, I no longer have to eat or drink sweets frequently.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pradermchai further concluded that this scarless endoscopic pancreatic tumor ablation technology was developed only recently, around 3–5 years ago. Chulalongkorn Hospital is one of the first institutions in the world to use this innovative technology to treat patients. He extended his gratitude to the supporters of new medical equipment and technology, which has provided the innovation to care for and treat patients more effectively. He added that the long-term outcomes of this treatment method still need to be monitored, and the hospital plans to expand this treatment to other patient groups and share the knowledge and skills of using this technology with doctors throughout Thailand.

GULF is committed to contributing to society under the concept, “Powering the Future, Empowering the People,” with a focus on public health, education, and the environment. In public health, GULF emphasizes supporting various hospitals by providing medical instruments and equipment that offer long-term benefits to patients. The company also continuously implements public health projects, such as providing scholarships for patients under the care of the Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital of the Thai Red Cross Society. Additionally, the ‘GULF Sparks Smiles’ Project, now in its 5th year, collaborates with the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, to offer free dental care across Bangkok and other provinces to the under-resourced communities. These efforts demonstrate GULF’s dedication to improving the quality of life and ensuring equal access to quality healthcare for all Thais.