Practical usefulness of lymphatic and connective tissue clearance for the carcinoma of the pancreas head

Definition of a standard lymphadenectomy in surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a consensus statement by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS)

BACKGROUND

The lymph node (Ln) status of patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an important predictor of survival. The survival benefit of extended lymphadenectomy during pancreatectomy is, however, disputed, and there is no true definition of the optimal extent of the lymphadenectomy. The aim of this study was to formulate a definition for standard lymphadenectomy during pancreatectomy.

METHODS

During a consensus meeting of the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery, pancreatic surgeons formulated a consensus statement based on available literature and their experience.

RESULTS

The nomenclature of the Japanese Pancreas Society was accepted by all participants. Extended lymphadenectomy during pancreatoduodenectomy with resection of Ln's along the left side of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and around the celiac trunk, splenic artery, or left gastric artery showed no survival benefit compared with a standard lymphadenectomy. No level I evidence was available on prognostic impact of positive para-aortic Ln's. Consensus was reached on selectively removing suspected Ln's outside the resection area for frozen section. No consensus was reached on continuing or terminating resection in cases where these nodes were positive.

CONCLUSION

Extended lymphadenectomy cannot be recommended. Standard lymphadenectomy for pancreatoduodenectomy should strive to resect Ln stations no. 5, 6, 8a, 12b1, 12b2, 12c, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 17a, and 17b. For cancers of the body and tail of the pancreas, removal of stations 10, 11, and 18 is standard. Furthermore, lymphadenectomy is important for adequate nodal staging. Both pancreatic resection in relatively fit patients or nonresectional palliative treatment were accepted as acceptable treatment in cases of positive Ln's outside the resection plane. This consensus statement could serve as a guide for surgeons and researchers in future directives and new clinical studies.

Adjuvant chemoradiation for pancreatic cancer: what does the evidence tell us?

The role of adjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) for pancreas cancer remains unclear. A handful of randomized trials conducted decades of ago ignited a debate that continues today about whether CRT improves survival after surgery. The many flaws in these trials are well described in the literature, which include the use of antiquated radiation delivery techniques and suboptimal doses. Recent prospective randomized data is lacking, and we eagerly await the results the ongoing Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0848 trial that is evaluating the utility of high quality adjuvant CRT in resected pancreas cancer patients. Until the results of RTOG 0848 are available we should look to other studies from the modern era to guide adjuvant treatment recommendations. Here we review the current state of the art for adjuvant pancreas CRT with respect to patient selection, radiation techniques, radiation dose, and integration with novel systemic agents.

A prospective randomized controlled study comparing outcomes of standard resection and extended resection, including dissection of the nerve plexus and various lymph nodes, in patients with pancreatic head cancer

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate the survival benefit of dissection of the nerve plexus and lymphadenectomy in patients with pancreatic head cancer.

BACKGROUND

Despite randomized controlled trials on the extent of surgery in pancreatic cancer, attempts have been made to perform more extended resections.

METHODS

A total of 244 patients were enrolled; of these, 200 were randomized to undergo standard resection or extended resection, with the latter including the dissection of additional lymph nodes and the right half of the nerve plexus around the superior mesenteric artery and celiac axis. We evaluated 167 patients from 7 centers who fulfilled all of the required criteria.

RESULT

Operation time was longer and estimated blood loss was higher in the extended resection group than in the standard resection group, but the R0 resection rate was comparable. The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved per patient was higher in the extended resection group than in the standard resection group (33.7 vs 17.3; P < 0.001). The morbidity rate was slightly higher in the extended resection group than in the standard resection group. Two patients in the extended resection group died in hospital. Median survival after R0 resection was similar in the extended resection and standard resection groups (18.0 vs 19.0 months; P = 0.239) regardless of lymph node metastasis. Adjuvant chemoradiation had a positive impact on overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that extended lymphadenectomy with dissection of the nerve plexus does not provide a significant survival benefit compared with standard resection in pancreatic head cancer. Standard resection can be performed safely and efficiently, without negatively affecting oncologic efficacy or long-term survival, when compared with extended pancreaticoduodenal resection. (NCT00679913)?

Standard and extended lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head: a meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Although some retrospective studies have recommended that pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy might improve the survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas, the procedure remains controversial.

METHODS

Using PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library databases, a systematic literature review was performed to identify randomized, controlled trials comparing standard and extended lymphadenectomy in pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas.

RESULTS

Four trials including 423 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Extended lymphadenectomy failed to improve the overall survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas (hazard ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval 0.84-1.41; P = 0.51). Additionally, postoperative mortality and morbidity were comparable between the standard and extended groups, while extended lymphadenectomy was associated with poor quality of life within 1 year after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended lymphadenectomy do not benefit overall survival. Considering the poor quality of life associated with extended lymphadenectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy with standard lymphadenectomy is suitable for patients with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas.

Preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (PC), with a focus on the differences in surgical outcomes and patterns of recurrence between these 2 categories.

BACKGROUND

Various multimodal treatment strategies have been proposed to improve the surgical outcomes of PC. Preoperative CRT and subsequent surgery is one of the promising strategies for resectable (PC-R) and borderline resectable (PC-BR) PC.

METHODS

A total of 268 patients with PC-R and PC-BR received preoperative gemcitabine-based CRT. The numbers of PC-R and PC-BR cases were 188 and 80, respectively. We evaluated the following comparisons between patients with PC-R and those with PC-BR: (1) resection rate, (2) rate of margin-negative resection, (3) survival, and (4) pattern of the treatment failure, including local recurrence, peritoneal dissemination, and distant metastasis.

RESULTS

The resection rate of patients with PC-R (87%) was higher than that of patients with PC-BR (54%) (P < 0.001). Pathological margin-negative resection was achieved in 99% and 98% of the patients with PC-R and PC-BR, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of the PC-R and PC-BR cases were 57% and 34%, respectively (P = 0.029). Although the 5-year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was comparable in both groups (15% and 13%, respectively; P = 0.508), the 5-year cumulative incidence of peritoneal and distant recurrence was significantly higher in the patients with PC-BR (43 and 76%) than in the patients with PC-R (17% and 43%).

CONCLUSIONS

In the resected cases, the locoregional control was comparable between patients with PC-R and PC-BR after preoperative CRT. The survival rate for the patients with PC-BR was lower than the rate for those with PC-R due to a higher incidence of peritoneal and distant recurrence in the patients with PC-BR. (UMIN000001804).

Meta-analysis of the efficacy of pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Background

The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with extended lymphadenectomy (PD/ELND) versus standard PD in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, with the hope of providing evidence for clinical practice.

Methods

The retrieval of relevant literature published before September 2012 was carried out on PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) by computer. Information was extracted according to Cochrane systematic review methods, and analyzed using software Stata 11.0.

Results

Five prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis of 555 cases (278 in the PD/ELND group and 277 in the standard PD group). The PD/ELND group showed a significantly lower 3-year survival rate (relative risk (RR) = 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to approximately 2.06, P = 0.034), prolonged operative time (weighted mean difference WMD = −1.03, 95% CI −1.96 to approximately −0.10, P = 0.029) and higher incidence of postoperative complications (RR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.42 to approximately 0.77, P = 0.000) by comparing with standard PD group. Besides, no significant difference was observed in the 1-year survival rate (RR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.60 to approximately 1.25, P = 0.69), 5-year survival rate (RR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.68 to approximately 1.58, P = 0.854), postoperative mortality (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 0.43 to approximately 3.00, P = 0.789), length of stay (WMD = −0.32, 95% CI −2.57 to approximately 1.94 , P = 0.784) and the amount of blood transfusions (WMD = −0.14, 95% CI −0.36 to approximately 0.08, P = 0.213).

Conclusions

PD/ELND does not have an advantage over standard PD in the survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer, but does increase operative time and incidences of postoperative complications.

Margin status, recurrence pattern, and prognosis after resection of pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Controversy persists as to whether positive operative margins are an independent prognostic factor for resected pancreatic cancer. This study evaluated the impact of the resection margin status on the patterns of recurrence and prognosis after resection for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

A total of 208 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent resection with curative intent were studied retrospectively. All patients underwent pancreatectomy (164 pancreatoduodenectomies, 42 distal pancreatectomies, and 2 total pancreatectomies) intended to achieve R0 resection. They were divided into three groups on the basis of the following margin status: R(>1 mm), R(0-1 mm), and R(0 mm). The postoperative survival and recurrence patterns were evaluated in relation to the margin status. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the factors influencing the overall survival.

RESULTS

The resection margin was R(>1 mm) in 134 patients (65%), R(0-1 mm) in 40 (19%), and R(0 mm) in 34 patients (16%). The margin status correlated with the rate of local recurrence; 8% in R(>1 mm), 20% in R(0-1 mm), and 50% in R(0 mm) patients. In contrast, the incidence of recurrence at other sites, such as the lymph nodes, peritoneum, liver and other distant organs, were almost identical among the three groups. The median survival time was 26 months in R(>1 mm), 30 months in R(0-1 mm), and 23 months in R(0 mm) patients (P = not significant). The multivariate analyses revealed that lymph node metastases and poor differentiation were correlated with poor survival.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of pancreatectomy, when we evaluated the definitions of R0 resection, the margin status influenced the local recurrence rate but had no impact on the patients' survival.

Mesopancreas: a boundless structure, namely R1 risk in pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The mesopancreatic resection margin after pancreaticoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas is of great interest with respect to curative resection, since the neoplastic involvement of this margin was shown to be the primary site for R1 resection. In this review the current knowledges of the surgical anatomy of the so-called mesopancreas and the mesopancreas excision techniques are summarized.

METHODS

References were identified by searching Pubmed database using the search terms "mesopancreas" and "meso-pancreatoduodenum" until June 2013 and through searches of the authors' own files. Five studies were included in this review.

RESULTS

Original contributions with regard to the anatomy of the retropancreatic area and specific technical descriptions of so-called "total mesopancreas excision" provided by published studies are pointed out.

CONCLUSIONS

Because there is no "meso" of the pancreas, and due to the continuity of the mesopancreatic and para-aortic areas, surgical dissection should be extended to the left of the superior mesenteric artery and include the para-aortic area to achieve the most complete possible resection of the so-called mesopancreas and minimize the rate of R1 resections due to mesopancreatic margin involvement. This extended mesopancreatic resection cannot be accomplished en bloc even if the removal of the dissected mesopancreatic tissues is performed en bloc with the head, uncus, and neck of the pancreas, i.e., with the pancreaticoduodenectomy specimen.

Chemoradiation for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma with or without intraoperative radiation therapy boost: Long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To analyze prognostic factors associated with long-term outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT) and surgery with or without intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOERT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1995 to December 2012, 60 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and locoregional disease (clinical stage IB [n = 13; 22%], IIA [n = 16; 27%], IIB [n = 22; 36%], IIIC [n = 9; 15%]) were treated with CRT (45-50.4 Gy before surgery [n = 19; 32%] and after surgery [n = 41; 68%]) and curative resection (R0 [n = 34; 57%], R1 [n = 26, 43%]). Twenty-nine patients (48%) also received a pre-anastomosis IOERT boost (applicator diameter size, 7-10 cm; dose, 10-15 Gy; beam energy, 9-18 MeV).

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 15.9 months (range, 1-182), 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and locoregional control were 20%, 13%, and 58%, respectively. Univariate analyses showed that R1 margin resection status (HR, 3.17; p = 0.04), not receiving IOERT (HR, 7.33; p = 0.01), and postoperative CRT (HR, 5.12; p = 0.04) were associated with a higher risk of locoregional recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, only margin resection status (HR, 3.0; p = 0.05) and not receiving IOERT (HR, 6.75; p = 0.01) retained significance with regard to locoregional recurrence. Postoperative mortality and perioperative complications were 3% (n = 2) and 43% (n = 26).

CONCLUSIONS

Although local control is good in the radiation-boosted area, OS remains modest owing to high risk of distant metastases. Intensified locoregional treatment needs to be tested in the context of more efficient systemic therapy.

Retroportal lamina or mesopancreas? Lessons learned by anatomical and histological study of thirty three cadaveric dissections

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND

Despite its importance in pancreatic head carcinoma, the retroportal lamina is still under studied, with only two anatomical cadaveric dissections in the English literature, with recent controversies about the concept of a mesopancreas.

METHODS

Resection of the mesopancreas was performed in 33 fresh cadavers. The pancreas and mesopancreas were separated from each other and the mesopancreas was immunohistochemically investigated.

RESULTS

The retroportal lamina is roughly rectangular in shape. Its dimensions are: height 6.2 cm (5-8), 2.5 cm wide (1.5-4). It contains a right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery in 13.3% of cases. Microscopic examination revealed areolar tissue, adipose tissue, peripheral nerve, nerve plexus, lymphatics and capillaries. However, fibrous sheath and fascia were not found around these structures.

CONCLUSION

A right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery is a frequent anatomic variation. Surgeons must be aware of this to ensure the integrity of the hepatic artery blood supply in patients treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy. Despite controversy about the reality of the mesopancreas (postulated in analogy to the mesorectum), because of the absence of fibrous sheath or fascia, its complete removal in pancreatic head carcinoma is feasible by a subadventitial dissection of the superior mesenteric artery which can be considered as the real limit of the mesopancreas.

Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 level does not predict prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation including gemcitabine

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine is a key drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) is a major transporter responsible for gemcitabine uptake into cells. This study was conducted to elucidate the association between expression level of hENT1 and outcome for pancreatic cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy including gemcitabine.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by curative surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas were included. Immunohistochemistry was performed using resected specimens and the staining intensity of hENT1 was scored as having no staining, low staining, or high staining; the former two were defined as negative expression of hENT1. The association between expression level of hENT1 and overall survival was evaluated by Cox proportional regression model.

RESULTS

Expression level of hENT1 was evaluated as positive in 22 (35%) patients, and as negative in 41 (65%) patients. Univariate analysis showed that regional lymph node metastasis, vascular permeation, and perineural invasion are prognostic factors; however, expression level of hENT1 did not reach statistical significance. Multivariate analysis showed only vascular permeation as a prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression level of hENT1 was not associated with prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation including gemcitabine.

Laparoscopic staging and surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the tenth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Surgery remains a cornerstone in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, the percentage of patients presenting at the resectable stage is minimal. Although computed tomography (CT) scan remains the best modality to stage the tumor for resectability, laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound offers its own advantages. Extended lymphadenectomy, portal vein resection, and arterial reconstruction have also been explored in multiple studies to enhance staging. The traditional pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple's procedure) with regional lymphadenectomy is still the standard of care in the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer.

N0/N1, PNL, or LNR? The effect of lymph node number on accurate survival prediction in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the prognostic accuracy of LN variables (N0/N1), numbers of positive lymph nodes (PLN), and lymph node ratio (LNR) in the context of the total number of examined lymph nodes (ELN).

METHODS

Patients from SEER and a single institution (MGH) were reviewed and survival analyses performed in subgroups based on numbers of ELN to calculate excess risk of death (hazard ratio, HR).

RESULTS

In SEER and MGH, higher numbers of ELN improved the overall survival for N0 patients. The prognostic significance (N0/N1) and PLN were too variable as the importance of a single PLN depended on the total number of LN dissected. LNR consistently correlated with survival once a certain number of lymph nodes were dissected (≥13 in SEER and ≥17 in the MGH dataset).

CONCLUSIONS

Better survival for N0 patients with increasing ELN likely represents improved staging. PLN have some predictive value but the ELN strongly influence their impact on survival, suggesting the need for a ratio-based classification. LNR strongly correlates with outcome provided that a certain number of lymph nodes is evaluated, suggesting that the prognostic accuracy of any LN variable depends on the total number of ELN.

Current surgical management of pancreatic cancer

En bloc resection is the treatment of choice for localized pancreatic cancer. While the perioperative mortality associated with resection is low, it still carries a significant morbidity rate of up to 50% in certain high-risk subsets of patients. With advances in perioperative care, radical resection with inclusion of adjacent vascular structure to achieve negative margin status can be performed with comparable mortality and morbidity in high-volume centers. Early results with the use of minimally invasive technique in pancreatic surgery are promising. Recent data on perioperative care to decrease morbidity with pancreatic surgery will also be discussed.

Standard versus extended lymphadenectomy in radical pancreatoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas: long-term results of a Japanese multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The value of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with extended lymphadenectomy for pancreatic cancer has been evaluated by many retrospective studies and 3 randomized controlled trials (RCT). However, the protocols used and the results found in the 3 RCTs were diverse. Therefore, a multicenter RCT was proposed in 1998 to evaluate the primary end point of long-term survival and the secondary end points of morbidity, mortality and quality of life of patients undergoing standard versus extended lymphadenectomy in radical PD for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

From March 2000 to May 2003, 112 patients with potentially curable pancreatic head cancer were enrolled and intraoperatively randomized to a standard or extended lymphadenectomy group. No resected patients received any adjuvant treatments.

RESULTS

A hundred and one eligible patients were analyzed. Demographic and histopathological characteristics of the two groups were similar. The mean operating time, intraoperative blood loss and number of retrieved lymph nodes were greater in the extended group, but the other operative results were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this multicenter RCT was conducted in a strict setting, extended lymphadenectomy in radical PD did not benefit long-term survival in patients with resectable pancreatic head cancer and led to levels of morbidity, mortality and quality of life comparable to those found after standard lymphadenectomy.

Identification of the lymphatic drainage pathways from the pancreatic head guided by indocyanine green fluorescence imaging during pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIMS

We identified the lymphatic drainage pathways from the pancreatic head guided by indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging to analyze optimal lymphadectomy for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

The lymphatic pathways in 20 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were analyzed. We injected ICG into the parenchyma in the anterior (n = 10) or posterior surface (n = 10) of the pancreas head and observed the intraoperative lymphatic flows by ICG fluorescence imaging.

RESULTS

The seven main lymphatic drainage pathways were identified: (1) along the anterior or posterior pancreaticoduodenal arcade, (2) running obliquely down behind the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), (3) reaching the left side of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), (4) running longitudinally upward between the SMV and SMA, (5) along the middle colic artery toward the transverse colon, (6) reaching the paraaortic (PA) region, and (7) reaching the hepatoduodenal ligament. The lymphatic pathway reaching the left side of the SMA was observed in 4 patients (20%), while that reaching the PA region in 17 patients (85%). The mean time to reach around the SMA was longer than that to reach the PA region.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that several lymphatic drainage routes were observed from the pancreatic head, suggesting that a lymphadectomy around the SMA might have a similar oncological impact as that of the PA region.

Perineural invasion and lymph node involvement as indicators of surgical outcome and pattern of recurrence in the setting of preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the histopathological indicators significantly associated with surgical outcome and the pattern of recurrence in the setting of preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT) and subsequent pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND

Clinicopathological assessment of the resected specimen is an indispensable tool for predicting patient prognosis and localizing high-risk sites for tumor relapse. This procedure is also essential for the establishment of efficient postoperative follow-up protocols in the setting of a preoperative CRT strategy.

METHODS

In a prospective phase II clinical trial at our hospital, 110 patients received preoperative CRT and subsequent resection. All 110 resected cases were included in this study. We employed disease-free survival (DFS) as a surgical outcome, and the pattern of recurrence was divided into 2 categories: (1) recurrence in the abdominal cavity (RAC), defined as either a locoregional or a peritoneal recurrence; or (2) distant recurrence (DR), defined as cancer recurrence in a distant organ. Clinicopathological variables were analyzed in association with DFS, RAC, and DR.

RESULTS

Positive nodal involvement and perineural invasion were independent factors that were significantly associated with an unfavorable DFS (P = 0.021 and P = 0.026, respectively). The presence of perineural invasion was the single independent variable significantly associated with an increased risk of RAC (P = 0.002), whereas the status of nodal involvement was the single independent variable significantly associated with an increased risk of DR (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

The status of nodal involvement and perineural invasion in resected specimens are significantly associated with DFS and clearly predict the pattern of recurrence in the setting of a preoperative gemcitabine-based CRT strategy. This study is registered at UMIN-CTR and carries the ID number UMIN000001804.

Surgical technique and results of total mesopancreas excision (TMpE) in pancreatic tumors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Retro pancreatic invasion is a major concern in pancreatic head carcinoma. Posterior clearance has been recognized as an independent risk factor for disease recurrence and hence patient survival. The aim of this study was to report a standardized method that ensures posterior clearance with Total Mesopancreas Excision (TMpE).

METHODS

Our procedure consisted in a posterior approach with cranio-caudal dissection at the origin of the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac trunk all along their right semi-circumference. This allowed a complete clearance of retro pancreatic tissues with safe control of pancreaticoduodenal arteries at their origin.

RESULTS

Fifty-two consecutive pancreatic resections with TMpE were performed. Sixteen cases were associated to vascular resection. Pathology revealed an adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic duct, distal bile duct, periampullary and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Mesopancreas was invaded by cancer in 12 cases, of these, 3 had invaded margins and 7 had a margin less than 1 mm. Mesopancreas was the only site of tumour infiltration. Applying the International Union Against Cancer criteria, an R0 resection was thus achieved in 42 patients.

CONCLUSION

Our procedure is feasible and safe in experienced hand. It is a description of a standardized method for TMpE that clearly shows an advantage in improving posterior clearance and R0 resection.

Role of extended surgery for pancreatic cancer: critical review of the four major RCTs comparing standard and extended surgery

Pancreatic ductal carcinoma is one of the most dismal malignancies in the gastrointestinal system. Despite the development of several adjuvant therapeutic options, surgical treatment is still the only procedure that can completely cure this disease. Since pancreatic cancer easily extends to the adjacent tissues or develops distant metastasis, there has been argument as to whether we should perform extended surgery in order to widely eradicate peripancreatic tissue. After the report from Japanese surgeons that showed a survival benefit of the extended surgery for the invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas in the late 1980s, many Japanese surgeons applied the extended surgery for pancreatic cancer. However, the major problems of these studies were the retrospective and non-randomized nature of the study design. Thereafter, randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing a standard and extended resection for the pancreatic cancer have been conducted first in Europe, second and third in the USA, and, subsequently, fourth in Japan. Unexpectedly, the survival benefit of the aggressive surgery has been refuted in all of the four major RCTs. This fact implied to us that surgery alone is not enough and that another adjuvant therapeutic option is necessary in order to improve the patients' survival of pancreatic cancer.

Preoperative chemoradiation reduces the risk of pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic fistula (PF) is a common complication after pancreatectomy. Previous reports indicate that preoperative irradiation decreases the risk of PF after pancreatoduodenectomy. In this context, the impact of preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) on PF formation after distal pancreatectomy is of interest.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent distal pancreatectomy, including 28 patients with preoperative gemcitabine-based CRT and 30 patients without preoperative treatment, were assessed in this study. The incidence and severity of postoperative PF, assessed according to the definition of the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula, were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

In the CRT group, 86% of patients did not develop PF, whereas grades A and B PF were observed in 1 and 3 patients, respectively. In the non-CRT group, 33% of patients did not develop a PF, whereas grades A and B PF were observed in 9 and 11 patients, respectively. The incidence of clinically significant PF, defined as either grade B or grade C PF, was less in the CRT group (P = .031). The amylase activities in the draining fluid on postoperative days 1 and 3 were both less in the CRT group (P = .003 and P = .006, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative CRT significantly decreases the incidence of PF after distal pancreatectomy, which potentially provides another benefit to patients in addition to its original advantages (ie, locoregional effect and patient selection effect), allowing more opportunities for the immediate initiation of postoperative adjuvant treatment.

Is pancreaticoduodenectomy justified in elderly patients?

BACKGROUND

Although mortality & morbidity for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) have improved significantly over the last two decades, the concern for elderly undergoing PD remains. This study examines the outcome of the elderly patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy in our institution.

METHODS

A prospective database comprising 69 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2001 and May 2008 was analyzed. Using WHO definition, elderly patient is defined as age 65 and above in this study. Two groups of patients were compared [Group 1: Age ≤65 & Group 2: Age >65].

RESULTS

The mean age of our patients was 62 ± 11 years. There were 37 (54%) patients in Group 1 and 32 (46%) patients in Group 2. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of gender and race. However, there were more patients in the Group 2 with >2 comorbidities (p = 0.03). The median duration of operation was significantly longer in Group 2 (550 min vs 471 min, p = 0.04). Morbidity rate in Group 2 was higher (56% vs. 44%, p = 0.04). There was higher proportion of post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in the elderly group (37.5% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.05). Majority of them are Grade A POPF according to the ISG definition. The median post-operative length-of-stay (LOS) in hospital was 9 days longer in Group 2 (p = 0.01). Mortality rate between the 2 groups of patients was comparable (0% vs. 3%, p = 0.28).

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients are at increased risk of morbidity in pancreatocoduodenectomy, in particular POPF. However, morbidity and mortality rates are acceptable. It is therefore justified to offer PD to elderly patients who do not have significant cardiopulmonary comorbidities.

Advances in diagnosis, treatment and palliation of pancreatic carcinoma: 1990-2010

Several advances in genetics, diagnosis and palliation of pancreatic cancer (PC) have occurred in the last decades. A multidisciplinary approach to this disease is therefore recommended. PC is relatively common as it is the fourth leading cause of cancer related mortality. Most patients present with obstructive jaundice, epigastric or back pain, weight loss and anorexia. Despite improvements in diagnostic modalities, the majority of cases are still detected in advanced stages. The only curative treatment for PC remains surgical resection. No more than 20% of patients are candidates for surgery at the time of diagnosis and survival remains quite poor as adjuvant therapies are not very effective. A small percentage of patients with borderline non-resectable PC might benefit from neo-adjuvant chemoradiation therapy enabling them to undergo resection; however, randomized controlled studies are needed to prove the benefits of this strategy. Patients with unresectable PC benefit from palliative interventions such as biliary decompression and celiac plexus block. Further clinical trials to evaluate new chemo and radiation protocols as well as identification of genetic markers for PC are needed to improve the overall survival of patients affected by PC, as the current overall 5-year survival rate of patients affected by PC is still less than 5%. The aim of this article is to review the most recent high quality literature on this topic.

Complex pancreatic surgery: safety and feasibility in the community setting

INTRODUCTION

Advances in technology, innovative surgical procedures, and enhanced perioperative care have allowed more patients to be considered for complex pancreatic surgery. Published reports on the outcomes of pancreatic surgery performed at high volume tertiary referral centers have yielded excellent results. However, similar outcome and safety data from community hospitals is limited.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Consecutive complex pancreatic surgery performed by a single surgeon from December 2004 to December 2009 formed the study group. Factors analyzed included patient demographics, operative procedure, operative time, length of hospital stay, pathology, and 30-day morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

One hundred and nine consecutive patients underwent pancreatic surgery, with a mean patient age of 62.4±15.2 years. Eighty-three patients (76.1%) underwent definitive surgical procedure and 26 patients (23.9%) had palliative bypass after failed palliative biliary stenting. The mean operative time was 229±109 min, the mean length of stay was 8.6±6.5 days and 24 (22.0%) patients had surgical complications.

CONCLUSION

Complex pancreatic surgery can be performed safely at high-volume tertiary community hospitals with excellent outcomes comparable to tertiary academic centers. In the ongoing debate about the need for mandatory referral of complex surgical procedures, tertiary community hospitals with well-determined outcomes should be included.

Analysis of 5-year survivors after a macroscopic curative pancreatectomy for invasive ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resections for invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas can provide the only chance of cure, although the 5-year survivors are not always equated with cure.

METHODS

A total of 229 who underwent a macroscopic curative pancreatectomy for invasive ductal adenocarcinoma between 1990 and 2003 and have been observed for more than 5 years from the time of resection were retrospectively analyzed. The data of patients who survived more than 5 years were compared with those died within 5 years. The recurrence pattern and factors that influenced an additional 5-year survival in the 5-year survivors were investigated.

RESULTS

Forty patients (17%) survived more than 5 years, and the survival rate for an additional 5 years after surviving 5 years was 72%. A multivariate Cox hazards analysis showed that negative surgical margins status, less frequency of lymphatic invasion, stage </= IIB, and negative lymph node involvement were independent factors associated with long-term survival. Thirty patients (75%) were alive without recurrence, and eight (20%) died of disease within 7.3 years. Intrapancreatic nerve invasion was a significant factor predicting additional long-term survival in the 40 5-year survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited cancer extension with negative lymph node metastases significantly contributes to the chance of surviving more than 5 years. A low incidence of intrapancreatic nerve invasion in the 5-year survivors affects the subsequent favorable survival.

Proposing the lymphatic target volume for elective radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer: a pooled analysis of clinical evidence

BACKGROUND

Radiation therapy is an important cancer treatment modality in both adjuvant and definitive setting, however, the use of radiation therapy for elective treatment of regional lymph nodes is controversial for pancreatic cancer. No consensus on proper selection and delineation of subclinical lymph nodal areas in adjuvant or definitive radiation therapy has been suggested either conclusively or proposed for further investigation. This analysis aims to study the pattern of lymph node metastasis through a pooled analysis of published results after radical tumor and lymph nodal resection with histological study in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Literature search using electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CANCERLIT from January 1970 to June 2009 was performed, supplemented by review of references. Eighteen original researches and a total of 5954 pancreatic cancer patients underwent radical surgical resection were included in this analysis. The probability of metastasis in regional lymph nodal stations (using Japan Pancreas Society [JPS] Classification) was calculated and analyzed based on the location and other characteristics of the primary disease.

RESULTS

Commonly involved nodal regions in patients with pancreatic head tumor include lymph nodes around the common hepatic artery (Group 8, 9.79%), posterior pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes (Group 13, 32.31%), lymph nodes around the superior mesenteric artery (Group 14, 15.85%), paraaortic lymph nodes (Group 16, 10.92%), and anterior pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes (Group 17, 19.78%); The probability of metastasis in other lymph nodal regions were <9%.Commonly involved nodal regions in patients with pancreatic body/tail tumor include lymph nodes around the common hepatic artery (Group 8, 15.07%), lymph nodes around the celiac trunk (Group 9, 9.59%), lymph nodes along the splenic artery (Group 11, 35.62%), lymph nodes around the superior mesenteric artery (Group 14, 9.59%), paraaortic lymph nodes (Group 16, 16.44%), and inferior body lymph nodes (Group 18, 24.66%). The probability of metastasis in other lymph nodal regions were <9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancer has a high propensity of regional lymphatic metastases; however, clear patterns including the site and probability of metastasis can be identified and used as a guide of treatment in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Further clinical investigation is needed to study the efficacy of elective treatment to CTV defined based on these patterns using high-dose conformal or intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Serum CA19-9 alterations during preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy for resectable invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas as an indicator for therapeutic selection and survival

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate serum CA19-9 alterations during preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for resectable pancreatic cancer (PC) in the earlier identification of patients who are likely to benefit from subsequent resection.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

One of the advantages of the preoperative CRT strategy for patients with advanced PC is that undetectable systemic disease may be revealed during preoperative CRT, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery. Serum CA19-9 has been evaluated as a predictive indicator of the treatment efficacy and outcome in various clinical settings.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 64 consecutive patients with resectable PC (at diagnosis) who received preoperative CRT at our hospital between 2002 and 2008. Patients were divided into 2 groups (efficacy grouping) to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative CRT according to the clinical course. Group A included patients who were unable to receive the subsequent resection due to the development of unresectable factors during preoperative CRT and those who received the subsequent resection but developed recurrent disease within 6 months after surgery; group B included patients who received the subsequent resection and survived without recurrences for more than 6 months after surgery. We developed a new classification utilizing pretreatment CA19-9 and proportional alteration of CA19-9 2 months after the initiation of treatment. The categories were defined as: I (increased), MD (modestly decreased), and SD (substantially decreased). Clinicopathological variables and CA19-9 alteration status were correlated with the efficacy grouping and overall survival.

RESULTS

All of the category I patients were included in group A, 93.5% of the category SD patients in group B, and approximately half of the category MD patients in group A. CA19-9 alteration status was a single independent variable associated with efficacy grouping and overall patient survival, with the 1-year survival rate of category I patients, and the 4-year survival rate of category MD and SD patients being 22.2%, 34.1%, and 58.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CA19-9 alteration status is useful in identifying those who will benefit from the preoperative CRT and subsequent resection and those who will not; it was a significant predictor for patient prognosis in the setting of the preoperative CRT strategy for resectable PC.

[Tumors of the upper gastro-intestinal tract]

The appropriate extent of lymph node dissection in tumors of the upper gastro-intestinal tract continues to be debated. The basic tenet of surgical oncology that cancerous lymph nodes are indicators not governors of survival is under question and derives from the different theories of metastasis. Is the metastatic flow linear (indicators) or does it occur in parallel to tumorigenesis (governor)? If the latter theory is true there would be only a limited indication for lymphadenectomy (LA).Extended LA leads to an ameliorated staging of the N category. Following LA locoregional tumor control is significantly improved for esophageal and gastric cancer. In case of gastric cancer it is evident that there is a group of patients in which extended LA lead to improved long-term survival. This gain in prognosis affects patients in which lymph node metastasis is not or only slightly advanced. In locally advanced tumors there is no prognostic benefit. Patients who might benefit from the extended procedure cannot be assessed during preoperative staging. Therefore, the indications for the procedure should be liberally carried out by experienced hands and in experienced centers. According to randomized studies there is no indication for extended radical LA in pancreatic cancer.

Feasibility and efficacy of combination therapy with preoperative full-dose gemcitabine, concurrent three-dimensional conformal radiation, surgery, and postoperative liver perfusion chemotherapy for T3-pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate both the feasibility and efficacy of our combined therapy, which consisted of preoperative chemoradiation, surgery, and postoperative liver perfusion chemotherapy (LPC) for patients with T3 (extended beyond the pancreatic confines) cancer of the pancreas.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Because of the high incidence of local recurrence and liver metastasis, long-term outcomes for patients after resection of T3-pancreatic cancer are extremely poor.

METHODS

During the period from 2002 to 2007, 38 patients with T3-pancreatic cancers consented to receive a combination of preoperative chemoradiation, surgery, and postoperative LPC. With the aid of 3D radiation planning, irradiation fields were constructed that included both the primary pancreatic tumor and retropancreatic tissues while taking care to exclude any section of the gastrointestinal tract. The total dose of radiation was 50 Gy (2 Gy x 25 fractions/5 weeks) and was administered in combination with gemcitabine treatments (1000 mg/m/week x 9/3 months). Preoperative restaging via computerized tomography and intraoperative inspection were used to determine if pancreatectomy was indicated. For respected cases, one catheter was placed into the gastroduodenal artery and another one into the superior mesenteric vein. Postoperatively, 5-FU (125 mg/day x 28 days) was infused via each of these 2 routes.

RESULTS

Preoperative chemoradiation was completed for all 38 patients, including 3 patients who required gemcitabine-dose reduction. Seven patients (18%) did not undergo surgical resection because either distant metastases or progressive local tumors had been detected after chemoradiation. The remaining 31 patients (82%) underwent pancreatectomy plus postoperative LPC, without postoperative or in-hospital mortality. The 5-year survival rate after pancreatectomy was 53%, with low incidences of both local recurrence (9%) and liver metastasis (7%). Postoperative histopathologic study revealed a marked degenerative change in cancer tissue, showing negative surgical margins (R0) for 30 patients (96%) and negative nodal involvement for 28 patients (90%).

CONCLUSION

Results of this trial suggest that a combination of preoperative full-dose gemcitabine, concurrent 3D-conformal radiation, surgery, and postoperative LPC is feasible for the treatment of T3-pancreatic cancer. Using the method described in this article, we were able to effectively reduce the incidence of both local and liver recurrence. Therefore, this type of combination therapy seems promising for improving long-term outcomes for patients with T3-cancers of the pancreas. This study is registered with University hospital Medical information Network clinical trials Registry number, UMIN000001804.

The lymph node ratio is the strongest prognostic factor after resection of pancreatic cancer

INTRODUCTION

Survival after surgery of pancreatic cancer is still poor, even after curative resection. Some prognostic factors like the status of the resection margin, lymph node (LN) status, or tumor grading have been identified. However, only few data have been published regarding the prognostic influence of the LN ratio (number of LN involved to number of examined LN). We, therefore, evaluated potential prognostic factors in 182 patients after resection of pancreatic cancer including assessment of LN ratio.

METHODS

Since 1994, 204 patients underwent pancreatic resection for ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Survival was evaluated in 182 patients with complete follow-up evaluations. Of those 182 patients, 88% had cancer of the pancreatic head, 5% of the body, and 7% of the pancreatic tail. Patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (85%), distal resection (12%), or total pancreatectomy (3%). Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier and Cox methods.

RESULTS

In all 204 resected patients, operative mortality was 3.9% (n = 8). In the 182 patients with follow-up, 70% had free resection margins, 62% had G1- or G2-classified tumors, and 70% positive LN. Median tumor size was 30 (7-80) mm. The median number of examined LN was 16 and median number of involved LN 1 (range 0-22). Median LN ratio was 0.1 (0-0.79). Cumulative 5-year survival (5-year SV) in all patients was 15%. In univariate analysis, a LN ratio > or = 0.2 (5-year SV 6% vs. 19% with LN ratio < 0.2; p = 0.003), LN ratio > or = 0.3 (5-year SV 0% vs. 18% with LN ratio < 0.3; p < 0.001), a positive resection margin (p < 0.01) and poor differentiation (G3/G4; p < 0.03) were associated with poorer survival. In multivariate analysis, a LN ratio > or = 0.2 (p < 0.02; relative risk RR 1.6), LN ratio > or = 0.3 (p < 0.001; RR 2.2), positive margins (p < 0.02; RR 1.7), and poor differentiation (p < 0.03; RR 1.5) were independent factors predicting a poorer outcome. The conventional nodal status or the number of examined nodes (in all patients and in the subgroups of node positive or negative patients) had no significant influence on survival. Patients with one metastatic LN had the same outcome as patients with negative nodes, but prognosis decreased significantly in patients with two or more LN involved.

CONCLUSIONS

Not the lymph node involvement per se but especially the LN ratio is an independent prognostic factor after resection of pancreatic cancers. In our series, the LN ratio was even the strongest predictor of survival. The routine estimation of the LN ratio may be helpful not only for the individual prediction of prognosis but also for the indication of adjuvant therapy and herein related outcome and therapy studies.

Advances in the treatment of pancreatic cancer: limitations of surgery and evaluation of new therapeutic strategies

Pancreatic ductal carcinoma is one of the most dismal malignancies of the gastrointestinal system. Even after curative resection, the actual 5-year survival is only 10%-20%. Of all the treatments used against pancreatic cancer, surgery is still the only one that can achieve complete cure. Pancreatic cancer spreads easily to the adjacent tissues and distant metastasis is common. Typically, this cancer invades the retropancreatic neural tissue, duodenum, portal vein (PV), and superior mesenteric vein (SMV), or regional lymph nodes. For this reason, aggressive surgery that removes the cancerous lesion completely is recommended. Several retrospective and prospective studies have been conducted to validate the usefulness of aggressive surgery for pancreatic cancer in the past few decades. Surprisingly, the survival benefits of aggressive surgery have been denied by most randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This implies that surgery alone is not enough. Thus, adjuvant therapy, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, has been given in combination with surgery to improve survival. Although the benefits of radiotherapy alone are limited, the results of chemotherapy are promising. Other newly evolving molecular targeting drugs may also improve the treatment outcomes of pancreatic cancer.

An exploration of the extended lymph node dissection and skeletonization of the vasculature for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

About 50%-90% of patients with pancreas carcinoma are found to have metastatic tumors when diagnosis is confirmed. The metastasis routes include via circulation system, lymph-node, and invasion to solar nerve plexus which usually occurs in 70% of patients. Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is the routine operation performed for pancreas carcinoma. There is also operation plan suggesting the resection of the nerve plexus and soft tissue distributing along the artery vessels, and the nerve fiber bat around the pancreas. This operation is also named as skeletonization of the vasculature. There have been different point-views from different surgery groups, on whether the extended lymphadenectomy (ELND) can extend the survival length and improve life quality of patients or not. However, ELND is considered to be possible to prolong the survival time for the patients with positive nodal metastasis.

Pancreatic cancer with paraaortic lymph node metastasis: a contraindication for radical surgery?

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the operative indications for pancreatic cancer with paraaortic lymph node metastases (No. 16 [+]).

METHODS

Between July 1981 and March 2007, 335 patients with pancreatic cancer including 45 No. 16 (+) patients underwent extended radical surgery at the Department of Surgery II, Nagoya University. The overall survival rates and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Although there was no significant difference in survival between the No. 16 (+) patients and the unresectable cases, there were some long-term survivors among the No. 16 (+) patients. Multivariate analysis of the No. 16 (+) patients identified age (59 years or younger), tumor size (>4 cm), and pathologically confirmed portal invasion (pPV[+]) as independent prognostic factors. The survival of No. 16 (+) patients without these factors was significantly better than the unresectable cases. The survival of patients with only 1 metastatic paraaortic lymph node also was significantly better than the unresectable cases, and tended to be better than those with more than 2 metastatic nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

No. 16 (+) pancreatic cancer patients with age 60 years or older, tumor size 4 cm or less, and pPV(-) may benefit from resection.

[Not Available]

A. Sauvanet Several factors argue for extended lymphadenectomy in surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: 1) lymph node extension is an adverse prognostic factor; 2) some tumor recurrences are only loco-regional suggesting that initial resection was insufficient; 3) some retrospective studies suggest that extension of lymphadenectomy improves post-resection survival. Extended lymphadenectomy, including circumferential dissection of both the celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery and resection of para-aortic nodes, was evaluated by 4 randomized trials; globally there was no survival benefit. Extended lymphadenectomy increases, at least transiently, the risk of post-operative diarrhea. Its influence on the rate of loco-regional recurrences has not been evaluated. However, this technique should not be definitively and globally precluded since a more radical resection was associated with a trend toward better long-term survival in the trial with the largest number of patients.

[Not Available]

A. Sauvanet Several factors argue for extended lymphadenectomy in surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: 1) lymph node extension is an adverse prognostic factor; 2) some tumor recurrences are only loco-regional suggesting that initial resection was insufficient; 3) some retrospective studies suggest that extension of lymphadenectomy improves post-resection survival. Extended lymphadenectomy, including circumferential dissection of both the celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery and resection of para-aortic nodes, was evaluated by 4 randomized trials; globally there was no survival benefit. Extended lymphadenectomy increases, at least transiently, the risk of post-operative diarrhea. Its influence on the rate of loco-regional recurrences has not been evaluated. However, this technique should not be definitively and globally precluded since a more radical resection was associated with a trend toward better long-term survival in the trial with the largest number of patients.

Striving for a better operative outcome: 101 pancreaticoduodenectomies

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), once carried high morbidity and mortality, is now a routine operation performed for lesions arising from the pancreatico-duodenal complex. This study reviews the outcome of 101 pancreaticoduodenectomies performed after formalization of HepatoPancreatoBiliary (HPB) unit in the Department of Surgery. A prospective database comprising of patients who underwent PD was set up in 1999. Retrospective data for patients operated between 1996 and 1999 was included. One hundred and one cases accrued over 10 years from 1996 to 2006 were analysed using SPSS (Version 12.0). The mean age of our cohort of patients was 61+/-12 years with male to female ratio of 2:1. The commonest clinical presentations were obstructive jaundice (64%) and abdominal pain (47%). Majority had malignant lesions (86%) with invasive adenocarcinoma of the head of pancreas being the predominant histopathology (41%). Median operative time was 315 (180-945) minutes. Two-third of our patients had pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) while the rest had pancreaticogastrostomy (PG). There were five patients with pancreatico-enteric anastomotic leak (5%), three of whom (3%) were from PJ anastomosis. Overall, in-hospital and 30-day mortality were both 3%. The median post-operative length of stay (LOS) was 15 days. Using logistic regressions, the post-operative morbidity predicts LOS following operation (p<0.005). The strategy in improving the morbidity and mortality rates of pancreaticoduodenectomies lies in the subspecialization of surgical services with regionalization of such complex surgeries to high volume centers. The key success lies in the dedication of staffs who continues to refine the clinical care pathway and standardize management protocol.

Long-term outcomes of extended radical resection combined with intraoperative radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Systemic and/or local recurrence often occurs even after curative resection for pancreatic cancer (PC). To prevent local relapse we adopted an extended radical resection combined with intraoperative radiation therapy in patients with PC, and all the patients were followed for more than 5 years.

METHODS

We assessed the long-term outcomes of 41 patients who underwent this combined therapy. The cumulative survival curve in this series was depicted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical analyses were performed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The actual 5-year survival rate was 14.6%, with a median survival time of 17.6 months. Six patients have been 5-year survivors. Local recurrence occurred in only 2 patients (5.0%). Cancer-related death occurred in 32 patients, 18 of whom had liver metastases. The patients with liver metastases had a significantly shorter survival time than those with other cancer-related causes of death. Patients with n3 lymph node involvement, extrapancreatic nerve plexus invasion, and stage IV disease had significantly poorer prognoses than patients without these characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Our combined therapy for patients with PC contributed to local control; however, it provided no survival benefit, because of liver metastases.

The impact of lymph node number on survival in patients with lymph node-negative pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVES

The role of lymph node (LN) dissection for pancreatic cancer remains uncertain, and guidelines for a minimum LN number have not been established. We hypothesized that LN number in node-negative (N0) pancreatic cancer influences survival.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for patients undergoing resection for N0 pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1988 and 2003. Lymph node number was categorized as 1-10, 11-20, and >20.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 1915 patients, the median LN number was 7 (range 1-57); 1365 (71%) patients had <11 LN. Survival was significantly better in the 11 to 20 compared with the 1-10 group (median, 20 vs 15 months, respectively, P < 0.0001); no difference was observed between the 11-20 and >20 groups (median, 20 vs 23 months, respectively, P = 0.14). Multivariate analysis demonstrated the prognostic significance of LN number for determining overall survival (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.97-0.99; P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancer lymphadenectomy with examination of >10 LN is associated with improved survival in N0 disease and should be considered a benchmark for adequacy of surgery and/or pathology. Currently, only a minority of patients are assessed by this measure. The variation in LN number may be indicative of diverse surgical technique and/or pathologic analysis and warrants further investigation.

Surgical management of carcinoma of the head of pancreas: extended lymphadenectomy or modified en bloc resection?

Pancreatoduodenectomy for the treatment of periampullary cancer was described over 70 years ago. The technique has evolved in an attempt to improve the dismal prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancers. Radical regional resection has been proposed to decrease the incidence of local recurrence as well as to improve survival. These extended resections have failed to show a significant survival benefit in prospective randomized controlled studies. Furthermore, extended pancreatic resections may be associated with increased morbidity. The concept of modified en bloc resection has been advocated and is soundly based on anatomical and pathological principals. This procedure is a modification of the radical regional resection previously described. It involves resection of the peripancreatic retroperitoneal tissue and lymph nodes en bloc with the head of pancreas, in order to achieve an R0 resection but without the morbidity associated with an extended lymphadenectomy. Conceptually, this procedure may be the most appropriate technique for the management of pancreatic head cancers although the ultimate effect on long-term survival can only be judged after further clinical studies.

The role of extended lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas: strength of the evidence

With improvements in the safety of Whipple resection in recent decades, surgeons have continued to explore the role of more extensive lymphadenectomy in hope of improving long-term survival. A systematic literature search of level I evidence addressing the role of the extent of lymphadenectomy was undertaken. Only reports of prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing pancreaticoduodenectomy with standard lymphadenectomy to pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy where information regarding survival, morbidity, mortality, the number of resected lymph nodes in each group and detailed operative technique were included. Four prospective, randomized trials comprising some 424 patients and one meta-analysis were identified. In aggregate, these studies confirmed that the number of resected lymph nodes was significantly higher in the pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy group. Morbidity and mortality rates were comparable. Postoperative diarrhea in the early months after operation was problematic in patients undergoing extended lymphadenectomy. In none of the studies was a benefit in long-term survival demonstrated. Standard pancreaticoduodenectomy continues to be the operation of choice for adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas.