Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for "unfavorable" carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: preliminary report

Proposal of nomograms to predict clinical outcomes in patients with ampulla of Vater cancer based on the Korea-Japan collaborative study

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to predict overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients who underwent curative resection of ampulla of Vater (AOV) cancer. This is the first study for nomograms in AOV cancer patients using retrospective data based on an international multicenter study.

METHODS

A total of 2007 patients with AOV adenocarcinoma who received operative therapy between 2002 January and 2015 December in Korea and Japan were retrospectively assessed to develop a prediction model. Nomograms for 5-year OS and 3-year RFS were constructed by dividing the patients who received and who did not receive adjuvant therapy after surgery, respectively. Significant risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. Performance assessment of the four prediction models was conducted by the Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and calibration curves using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

A total of 2007 and 1873 patients were collected for nomogram construction to predict 5-year OS and 3-year RFS. We developed four types of nomograms, including models for 5-year OS and 3-year RFS in patients who did not receive postoperative adjuvant therapy, and 5-year OS and 3-year RFS in patients who received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The C-indices of these nomograms were 0.795 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.766-0.823), 0.712 (95% CI: 0.674-0.750), 0.804 (95% CI: 0.7778-0.829), and 0.703 (95% CI: 0.669-0.737), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This predictive model could help clinicians to choose optimal treatment and precisely predict prognosis in AOV cancer patients.

Neoadjuvant Therapy Versus Upfront Resection for Nonpancreatic Periampullary Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

In contrast to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for periampullary adenocarcinomas is not well studied, with data limited to single-institution retrospective reviews with small cohorts. We sought to compare outcomes of NAT versus upfront resection (UR) for non-PDAC periampullary adenocarcinomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we identified patients who underwent surgery for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, ampullary adenocarcinoma, or duodenal adenocarcinoma from 2006 to 2016. We compared outcomes between NAT versus UR groups for each tumor subtype with 1:3 propensity score matching. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Among 7656 patients who underwent resection for non-PDAC periampullary adenocarcinoma, the proportion of patients who received NAT increased from 6 to 11% for cholangiocarcinoma (p < 0.01), 1 to 4% for ampullary adenocarcinoma (p = 0.01), and 5 to 8% for duodenal adenocarcinoma (p = 0.08). Length of stay, readmission, and 30-day mortality were comparable between NAT and UR. All tumor subtypes were downstaged following NAT (p < 0.01). The R0 resection rate was significantly higher in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who received NAT, and these patients had improved median overall survival (38 vs 26 months, p < 0.001). After adjustment for clinicopathologic factors and adjuvant chemotherapy, use of NAT was associated with improved survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54-0.89, p = 0.004] but not duodenal or ampullary adenocarcinoma. The survival advantage for cholangiocarcinoma persisted after propensity matching.

CONCLUSION

This national cohort analysis suggests, for the first time, that neoadjuvant therapy is associated with improved survival in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Predictors and Recurrence Patterns After Radical Surgery in Ampulla of Vater Cancer: Comparative Analysis Between Early and Late Recurrence

Objective

Tumor recurrence remains the main dilemma after surgical treatment of ampulla of Vater carcinoma. This study was designed to identify the prognostic factors and evaluate the recurrence patterns of ampulla of Vater cancer.

Methods

A total of 286 patients who underwent surgical resection of ampulla of Vater cancer in two medical centers from January 2000 to October 2016 were collected. Data on clinicopathologic factors, survival rate, and recurrence patterns were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

A total of 158 patients (55.2%) survived without evidence of recurrence (non-recurrence), whereas 65 (22.7%) and 63 patients (22.1%) suffered from recurrence of the disease within 12 months (early recurrence) and after 12 months (late recurrence), respectively. Early-recurrence patients exhibited a more advanced disease (advanced tumor stage, lymph node involvement, pancreas invasion, and late TNM stage) than late-recurrence patients. The first or primary location of cancer recurrence in 33 patients (25.8%) was locoregional. Metastasis developed in the liver in 30 patients (23.4%), peritoneum in 13 patients (10.2%), lungs in 10 patients (7.8%), and para-aortic or superior mesenteric artery lymph node in 10 patients (7.8%). Multiple metastases were observed in 26 patients (20.3%).

Conclusion

The most common patterns of postoperative recurrence are locoregional and recurrent liver metastasis. The recurrence patterns with the worst prognosis are peritoneal and multiple metastases.

Does adjuvant treatment improve prognosis after curative resection of ampulla of Vater carcinoma? A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Ampulla of Vater (AoV) carcinoma is a rare tumor that accounts for approximately 0.2% of gastrointestinal malignancies. There are no clinical guidelines concerning the treatment of AoV carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of adjuvant treatment in AoV carcinoma following curative resection and define the "high-risk" group.

METHODS

Clinical data of patients who underwent curative resection for AoV carcinoma in four hospitals, namely Yonsei Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, and National Cancer Center (n = 651; 2002-2015), were reviewed. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were compared using Kaplan-Meier estimates.

RESULTS

Data of 651 patients who had undergone curative resection were retrospectively reviewed. Age, T stage, N stage, and differentiation type remained strong and independent risk factors for RFS and OS. In early-stage AoV carcinoma (T1N0, T2N0), the non-adjuvant group had better prognosis based on the RFS and OS than the adjuvant group (P < .001, P = .007). In advanced T stage (T3N0, T4N0), the adjuvant group had better prognosis than the non-adjuvant group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). In node-positive patients (any T, N1/2), adjuvant treatment did not affect RFS and OS (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant treatment after curative resection of AoV carcinoma is not associated with improved survival. The high-risk group (node-positive or advanced T stage (T3, T4)) treated with adjuvant treatment was not statistically associated with improved survival; however, our study showed that the adjuvant treatment for the high-risk group might help achieve better patient outcome.

Therapeutic options for ampullary carcinomas. A review

Ampullary Carcinoma arises from a histologically heterogeneous region where three different epithelia converge. Even though Ampullary Carcinoma has a superior prognosis compared to pancreatic and biliary ductal neoplasms, at least half of the patients turn up at an advanced stage that limits the treatment prospects. In addition to surgery for early-stage disease, several studies have shown that chemoradiotherapy confers additional benefits in the management of Ampullary Carcinoma. Analogously, chemotherapy plays a crucial role in treating advanced Ampullary Carcinoma with distant metastasis/recurrences. Although, stage of the disease, lymph node status, and histo-morphology are three critical prognostic variables, recently much attention is being placed on the genetic landscape of Ampullary Carcinoma. In this review, we have discussed various studies describing the role of chemoradiation and chemotherapy in the treatment of early and advanced stage Ampullary Carcinoma. Also, we have summarized the molecular landscape of Ampullary Carcinoma and the novel therapeutic strategies which could possibly target the genetic alterations involving the tumor cells.

Compliance and outcomes of concurrent Chemo-radiation in patients with peri-ampullary cancer undergoing curative resections

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to study the compliance and treatment outcome of patients who received adjuvant treatment following curative resection for periampullary cancers periampullary cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institute medical records of PAC treated during 2007-2014 were retrieved. Demographics, treatment, and outcome in patients who were intended to receive adjuvant chemoradiation after curative resection were analyzed. Patients received first cycle chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil folinic acid/capecitabine, followed by external radiotherapy 45 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks and second and third cycle concurrent chemotherapy. Fourth and fifth cycle chemotherapy were administered after radiotherapy). Various prognostic factors, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients were evaluated. Median age was 50 years. 96.9% patients completed the intended course of radiation and overall adherence to chemotherapy was 86.2%. Median follow-up and DFS were 20 and 29.64 months, respectively (range: 1.9-97.3 months). Estimated 1-, 2-, 5-year DFS was 77.8%, 59.3%, and 37.6%, respectively. One-year estimated OS was 92.7%. Median DFS for node-negative and node-positive patients was 88.6 and 24.33 months (P = 0.06). Grade ≥III hematological toxicity was 20%.

CONCLUSION

Positive node indicated a trend toward poor survival. The study highlights high compliance to multimodal management of PAC with acceptable toxicity in and out of clinical trial setting in a tertiary cancer center in India.

Prognostic factors and benefits of adjuvant therapy after pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma: Mayo Clinic experience

INTRODUCTION

Ampullary adenocarcinoma is a rare entity with limited data on prognostic factors. The aim of this study is to identify prognostic factors and assess the benefit of adjuvant therapy in patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy.

METHODS

A cohort of 121 consecutive patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma from 2006 to 2016 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. All patients were confirmed by independent pathologic review to have ampullary carcinoma. Patient survival and its correlation with patient and tumor variables were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty three patients (45%) received adjuvant therapy (34 patients had chemotherapy alone, while 19 patients received both chemotherapy and radiation therapy). Fifty seven percent of the patients were diagnosed with advanced stage disease (Stage IIB or higher). Nearly all patients (98.3%) had negative surgical margins. Median overall survival (OS) was 91.8 months (95% CI:52.6 months-not reached). In multivariate analysis, excellent performance status (ECOG: 0), adjuvant therapy, and advanced stage remained statistically significant. Adjuvant therapy was independently associated with improved disease free survival (Hazard ratio [HR]:0.52, P = 0.04) and overall survival (HR:0.45, P = 0.03) in patients with advanced disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant therapy was associated with improved survival in patients with resected ampullary cancer, especially with advanced stage disease. A multi-institutional randomized trial is needed to further assess the role of adjuvant therapy in ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Early Recurrence and Omission of Adjuvant Therapy after Pancreaticoduodenectomy Argue against a Surgery-First Approach

BACKGROUND

Sequencing therapy for patients with periampullary malignancy is controversial. Clinical trial data report high rates of adjuvant therapy completion, though contemporary, real-world rates remain incomplete. We sought to identify patients who failed to receive adjuvant therapy and those at risk for early recurrence (ER) who might benefit most from neoadjuvant therapy (NT).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 201 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary malignancies between 1999 and 2015; patients receiving NT were excluded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of failure to receive adjuvant therapy and ER (within 6 months) as the primary end points.

RESULTS

The median age at the time of surgery was 65.5 years (interquartile range 57-74 years). The majority of tumors were pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (76.6 %), and 71.6 % of patients received adjuvant therapy after resection. Univariate predictors of failure to undergo adjuvant therapy were advanced age, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, operative transfusion, reoperation, length of stay, and 30- to 90-day readmissions (all p < 0.05). Advanced age, specifically among patients >70 years, persisted as a significant preoperative predictor on multivariate analysis (p < 0.01). Patients who failed to receive adjuvant therapy and/or developed ER had significantly worse overall survival rates compared to all other patients (27.8 vs. 9.7 months; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one-third of surgery-first patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at our institution did not receive adjuvant therapy and/or demonstrated ER. This substantial subset of patients may particularly benefit from NT, ensuring completion of multimodal therapy and/or avoiding futile surgical intervention.

Histomorphologic and molecular phenotypes predict gemcitabine response and overall survival in adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

BACKGROUND

The need for adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of ampullary cancer (PapCa) remains undefined. Recent data suggest that a different epithelial origin of PapCa might be associated with different tumor biology. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical value of morphologic and immunohistochemic subclassification of PapCa into intestinal-type (IT) and pancreaticobiliary-type (PT) to predict chemotherapy response and overall survival (OS).

METHODS

Via a prospective database, 112 PapCa were identified, of which 95 could be included in the present study. Those were compared with 206 matching patients with periampullary pancreatic cancer (ie, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC). IT and PT PapCa were classified morphologically, and tissue microarray was prepared with immunohistochemistry for CK7, CK20, MUC2, CDX2, ß-Catenin, and Villin. Multivariate survival analysis was performed.

RESULTS

OS of PT patients was less compared with IT patients (25 vs 98 months; P < .001), whereas it was comparable with patients with PDAC (25 vs 14 months; P = .123). PT patients receiving adjuvant gemcitabine chemotherapy featured improved OS (32 vs 13 months; P = .013), whereas gemcitabine tended to be associated with decreased OS in IT patients (35 vs 112 months; P = .193). Besides histopathologic classification, expression of CK7 and MUC2 were important prognostic variables. PT patients with CK7-positivity or MUC2-negativity were segregated into an even poorer prognostic group.

CONCLUSION

PapCa is not a separate tumor entity. We demonstrate important differences between IT-PapCa and PT-PapCa not only in long-term survival but also in response to adjuvant gemcitabine. Tumor biology and clinical course of PT tumors resemble those of PDAC. PT tumors should therefore be treated like PDAC.

Predictors of long-term survival following resection for ampullary carcinoma: a large retrospective French multicentric study

OBJECTIVES

Ampullary carcinoma is a rare tumor. There are neither sufficient available data related to management after resection of the neoplasm of the ampulla of Vater, nor any international recommendations. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with recurrence and survival after curative resection.

METHODS

A retrospective follow-up study was conducted including patients with ampullary carcinoma who underwent resection with curative intent in 12 French surgical centers between January 1990 and November 2011.

RESULTS

In this study, 319 patients underwent surgical resection for an ampullary neoplasm. Disease recurred in 120 patients (37.6%), and the 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 48.9% and 40.4%, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression, preoperative bilirubin, T stage, pancreaticobiliary histology subtype, and lymph node involvement were each significantly associated with the risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Ampullary carcinomas are a heterogeneous group that can be classified as intestinal and pancreaticobiliary subtypes. Our findings indicate that pancreaticobiliary differentiation, advanced stage, and lymph node involvement are predictors of both poor disease-free and poor overall survival. It is still unclear what adjuvant treatment after curative resection of ampullary carcinoma is optimal. It would be informative to evaluate adjuvant therapy according to histological subtype.

Defining the role of adjuvant therapy: ampullary and duodenal adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinomas of the ampulla of Vater and duodenum are more rare than pancreatic cancer and have a better prognosis. However, studies conducted on the management of these cancers, such as adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy, are limited by small sample sizes and series that are retrospective. This review evaluates ampullary and duodenal adenocarcinomas with regard to incidence, anatomy, prognostic features, patterns of failure, and the available literature studying adjuvant therapy.

Histomolecular phenotypes and outcome in adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of vater

PURPOSE

Individuals with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater demonstrate a broad range of outcomes, presumably because these cancers may arise from any one of the three epithelia that converge at that location. This variability poses challenges for clinical decision making and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We assessed the potential clinical utility of histomolecular phenotypes defined using a combination of histopathology and protein expression (CDX2 and MUC1) in 208 patients from three independent cohorts who underwent surgical resection for adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

RESULTS

Histologic subtype and CDX2 and MUC1 expression were significant prognostic variables. Patients with a histomolecular pancreaticobiliary phenotype (CDX2 negative, MUC1 positive) segregated into a poor prognostic group in the training (hazard ratio [HR], 3.34; 95% CI, 1.69 to 6.62; P < .001) and both validation cohorts (HR, 5.65; 95% CI, 2.77 to 11.5; P < .001 and HR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.25 to 7.17; P = .0119) compared with histomolecular nonpancreaticobiliary carcinomas. Further stratification by lymph node (LN) status defined three clinically relevant subgroups: one, patients with histomolecular nonpancreaticobiliary (intestinal) carcinoma without LN metastases who had an excellent prognosis; two, those with histomolecular pancreaticobiliary carcinoma with LN metastases who had a poor outcome; and three, the remainder of patients (nonpancreaticobiliary, LN positive or pancreaticobiliary, LN negative) who had an intermediate outcome.

CONCLUSION

Histopathologic and molecular criteria combine to define clinically relevant histomolecular phenotypes of adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater and potentially represent distinct diseases with significant implications for current therapeutic strategies, the ability to interpret past clinical trials, and future trial design.

Prognostic significance of tumour location after adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for periampullary adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

To analyse the outcome of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for periampullary adenocarcinoma and the impact of tumour location as a prognosticator.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between January 1991 and December 2002, 147 patients with periampullary cancer underwent adjuvant chemoradiotherapy after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Postoperative radiotherapy was delivered to tumour bed and regional lymph nodes up to 40 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction with a two-week planned rest. Intravenous 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m(2)/day) was given on days 1-3 of each split course. The median follow-up period was 82 months in survivors.

RESULTS

Tumour >2 cm and margin-positivity were more common in patients with pancreatic cancer than nonpancreatic periampullary cancers (p<0.0001 and 0.0780, respectively). According to the tumour location, 5-year overall survival rates of ampulla of Vater, distal common bile duct, duodenal and pancreatic head cancers were 53.0%, 50.3%, 37.5%, and 13.0%, respectively (p<0.0001). On multivariate analysis, pancreatic location (p<0.0001) and nodal involvement (p=0.0123) were associated with inferior overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of its advanced histologic features, pancreatic location itself was an adverse prognostic factor affecting overall survival.

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: patterns of failure following resection and benefit of chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Ampullary carcinoma is a rare malignancy. Despite radical resection, survival rates remain low with high rates of local failure. We performed a single-institution outcomes analysis to define the role of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in addition to surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients undergoing potentially curative pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater at Duke University Hospitals between 1976 and 2009. Time-to-event analysis was performed comparing all patients who underwent surgery alone to the cohort of patients receiving CRT in addition to surgery. Local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and metastases-free survival (MFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of 137 patients with ampullary carcinoma underwent Whipple procedure. Of these, 61 patients undergoing resection received adjuvant (n = 43) or neoadjuvant (n = 18) CRT. Patients receiving chemoradiotherapy were more likely to have poorly differentiated tumors (P = .03). Of 18 patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, 67% were downstaged on final pathology with 28% achieving pathologic complete response (pCR). With a median follow-up of 8.8 years, 3-year local control was improved in patients receiving CRT (88% vs 55%, P = .001) with trend toward 3-year DFS (66% vs 48%, P = .09) and OS (62% vs 46%, P = .074) benefit in patients receiving CRT.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival rates are low and local failure rates high following radical resection alone. Given patterns of relapse with surgery alone and local control benefit in patients receiving CRT, the use of chemoradiotherapy in selected patients should be considered.

Evaluation of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for ampullary adenocarcinoma: the Johns Hopkins Hospital-Mayo Clinic collaborative study

Background

The role of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for ampullary carcinoma is unknown. Previous literature suggests that certain populations with high risk factors for recurrence may benefit from adjuvant chemoradiation. We combined the experience of two institutions to better delineate which patients may benefit from adjuvant chemoradiation.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative surgery for ampullary carcinoma at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (n = 290; 1992-2007) and at the Mayo Clinic (n = 130; 1977-2005) were reviewed. Patients with <60 days of follow-up, metastatic disease at surgery, or insufficient pathologic data were excluded. The final combined study consisted of 186 patients (n = 104 Johns Hopkins, n = 82 Mayo). Most patients received 5-FU based chemoradiation with conformal radiation. Cox proportional hazards models were used for survival analysis.

Results

Median overall-survival was 39.9 months with 2- and 5-year survival rates of 62.4% and 39.1%. On univariate analysis, adverse prognostic factors for overall survival included T3/T4 stage disease (RR = 1.86, p = 0.002), node positive status (RR = 3.18, p < 0.001), and poor histological grade (RR = 1.69, p = 0.011). Patients who received adjuvant chemoradiation (n = 66) vs. surgery alone (n = 120) showed a higher rate of T3/T4 stage disease (57.6% vs. 30.8%, P < 0.001), lymph node involvement (72.7% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.001), and close or positive margins (4.6% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.019). Five year survival rates among node negative and node positive patients were 58.7% and 18.4% respectively. When compared with surgery alone, use of adjuvant chemoradiation improved survival among node positive patients (mOS 32.1 vs. 15.7 mos, 5 yr OS: 27.5% vs. 5.9%; RR = 0.47, P = 0.004). After adjusting for adverse prognostic factors on multivariate analysis, patients treated with adjuvant chemoradiation demonstrated a significant survival benefit (RR = 0.40, P < 0.001). Disease relapse occurred in 37.1% of all patients, most commonly metastatic disease in the liver or peritoneum.

Conclusions

Node-positive patients with resected ampullary adenocarcinoma may benefit from 5-FU based adjuvant chemoradiation. Since a significant proportion of patients develop metastatic disease, there is a need for more effective systemic treatment.

Management of ampullary lesions

Adenomatous lesions of the ampulla of Vater are relatively rare neoplasms that raise many questions regarding standard management. Adenocarcinoma often will be found in ampullary lesions and should be treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Benign-appearing adenomas may be treated by PD, transduodenal ampullectomy (AMP), or endoscopic ampullectomy (EA). AMP and EA have decreased morbidity and mortality compared with PD but are limited by concerns for appropriate resection margins, high recurrence rates, and the need for surveillance endoscopy or additional procedures. Preoperative endoscopic biopsies should be obtained to identify carcinoma, but they have high false-negative rates and cannot be relied upon to rule out malignancy. Intraoperative frozen section evaluation should be requested routinely during AMP, with conversion to PD if carcinoma is demonstrated. The gold standard management of benign adenomas has not been clarified, but the goal for all treatment modalities is complete resection. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis may be exceptions to this, and routine surveillance endoscopy and biopsy with selective resection have been advocated by some as an alternative to complete resection. Adjuvant chemoradiation has a very limited role in the treatment of ampullary carcinoma and ideally should be offered in the setting of a clinical trial. Metastatic and locally advanced, unresectable lesions may be palliated by surgical or endoscopic bypass, as well as by celiac plexus blockade.

Is adjuvant radiotherapy needed after curative resection of extrahepatic biliary tract cancers? A systematic review with a meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

The role for adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) after curative resection in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma remains unclear. Due to the lack of randomized trials, available data comes from single center experiences or data-based population studies with inconclusive results.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of radiotherapy (with or without concurrent chemotherapy) on toxicity and survival of radically resected patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer (extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer and pure ampullary cancer).

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION

Eligible studies with data on survival, recurrence and toxicity were retrieved from the MEDLINE, ISI web of science, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from January 1995 to December 2008, to ensure that all ART treatments were performed with conventional 3D techniques. In the absence of randomized controlled-studies, all observational cohort studies (longitudinal and historical) were initially considered. Ten retrospective cohort studies (where the use of concurrent CT was reported only in 2), met all inclusion criteria and were enrolled for final meta-analysis. Hazard ratio (HR) had to be extracted from survival curves using the Tierney et al. methods. MIX 1.7 statistical software was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

All studies on ART used conventional 3D-techniques. Patients in the ART cohorts were more likely to have involved surgical margins and positive lymph nodes. For extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma location, ART significantly improved overall survival (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.78, p<0.001). Meta-analysis was not feasible for gallbladder cancer and ampullary cancer locations. Late radiation-induced toxicity was low (2-9% late obstruction or GI bleeding).

CONCLUSION

In the absence of randomized controlled studies, we found in the present systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that, patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated with adjuvant RT have a significant lower risk of dying compared to patients treated with surgery alone.

Bone and brain metastases from ampullary adenocarcinoma

Ampullary carcinoma is the second most common cancer of the peri-ampullary area after pancreatic carcinoma and metastasizes mostly intra-abdominally and to the liver. Extra-abdominal metastases are less frequent. In this report we describe the case of a patient with resected adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater who developed skeletal metastases in the lower extremity and brain metastases. We briefly discuss aspects of this comparatively rare gastrointestinal malignancy.

Indication for postoperative adjuvant therapy in biliary carcinoma based on analysis of recurrence and survival after surgical resection

Postoperative adjuvant therapy is mandatory for biliary carcinoma because of its unfavorable prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the indication for postoperative adjuvant therapy in biliary carcinoma. The charts of 139 consecutive patients with biliary carcinoma (37 ampullary carcinomas, 36 distal carcinomas, 38 carcinomas of the gallbladder, and 28 hilar cholangiocarcinomas) who underwent surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. Recurrence rates and survival rates after surgery were analyzed. Of the 139 carcinomas, the recurrence rates of International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stages IA, IB, IIA, IIB, and III cancers were 9%, 20%, 60%, 83%, and 100%, respectively. The recurrence rates of UICC stages II and III cancers were significantly higher than that of UICC stage I cancer (82% vs 13%, P < 0.001). The 5-year survival rates for patients with UICC stages IA, IB, IIA, IIB, and III cancers were 85%, 75%, 36%, 20%, and 0%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates for UICC stages II and III cancers were significantly lower than that for UICC stage I cancer (21% vs 82%, P < 0.001). Postoperative adjuvant therapy should be given to patients with UICC stages II and III biliary carcinomas because of their high rate of recurrence and the poor prognosis.

Role of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for ampulla of Vater cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for ampulla of Vater cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between January 1991 and December 2002, 118 patients with ampulla of Vater cancer underwent en bloc resection. Forty-one patients received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy [RT(+) group], and 77 did not [RT(-) group]. Postoperative radiotherapy was delivered to the tumor bed and regional lymph nodes, for a total dose of up to 40 Gy delivered in 2-Gy fractions, with a planned 2-week rest period halfway through the treatment period. Intravenous 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m(2)/day) was given on Days 1 to 3 of each split course. The median follow-up was 65 months.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival rate in the RT(-) and RT(+) groups was 66.9% and 52.8%, respectively (p = 0.2225). The 5-year locoregional relapse-free survival rate in the RT(-) and RT(+) groups was 79.9% and 80.2%, respectively (p = 0.9582). When age, type of operation, T stage, N stage, histologic differentiation, and the use of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy were incorporated into the Cox proportional hazard model, there was an improvement in the locoregional relapse-free survival rate (p = 0.0050) and a trend toward a longer overall survival (p = 0.0762) associated with the use of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Improved overall survival (p = 0.0235) and locoregional relapse-free survival (p = 0.0095) were also evident in patients with nodal metastasis. In contrast, enhanced locoregional control (p = 0.0319) did not result in longer survival in patients with locally advanced disease (p = 0.4544).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy may enhance locoregional control and overall survival in patients with ampulla of Vater cancer after curative resection, especially in those with nodal involvement.

Prognostic relevance of lymph node ratio and number of resected nodes after curative resection of ampulla of Vater carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Nodal metastasis is considered a major prognostic factor in patients with ampulla of Vater carcinoma (AVC). No study has investigated the significance of the ratio between metastatic and resected/examined lymph nodes (LNR) in patients with AVC.

METHODS

Demographic, operative, and pathology data, including number of resected/evaluated nodes and LNR, were collected from patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with radical intent for invasive AVC from 1990 to 2005. Survival rates and recurrence patterns were evaluated and predictors were identified.

RESULTS

In 90 evaluable patients (51 males, 39 females, median age 62.5 years), 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 61%. The median number of resected/evaluated nodes was 16 (range: 5-47); 50% of the patients had nodal metastases. The 5-year DSS according to LNR was 75%, 49%, 38%, and 0% for LNR = 0, LNR >0 and < or =0.2, LNR >0.2, and < or =0.4, and LNR >0.4 (P = 0.002), respectively. The 5-year DSS was 81% in patients with >16 resected/evaluated nodes compared with 45% in those with < or =16 resected/evaluated nodes (P = 0.001). On multivariate analysis LNR and a number of resected/evaluated nodes >16 were significant predictors of survival; a number of resected/evaluated nodes >16 was also the only independent predictor of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

After curative resection for AVC, LNR and a cutoff of 16 resected/evaluated nodes are powerful prognostic factors. LNR might represent a major parameter for patient stratification in adjuvant treatment trials.

Prognosis of resected ampullary adenocarcinoma by preoperative serum CA19-9 levels and platelet-lymphocyte ratio

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative CA19-9 levels and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) might reflect prognostic indices for resected ampullary adenocarcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected prospectively over a 10-year period for consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for malignancy.

RESULTS

Both preoperative PLR and CA19-9 results were available in 52 cases of resected ampullary adenocarcinoma. Preoperative CA19-9 levels of </=150 kU/l (or </=300 kU/l in the presence of bilirubin levels >35 micromol/l) and a PLR of </=160 were found to represent the optimal cut-off values to risk stratify patients. If both levels were elevated (n = 8), patients had a median overall survival of 10.1 months. If either CA19-9 or PLR were elevated individually (n = 23), patients had a median survival of 25.2 months. For cases where both levels were less than the cut-off values (n = 21), the median overall survival time was not reached but was greater than 60 months (log rank, p < 0.001). This preoperative risk stratification was found to remain a significant independent predictor of survival on multivariate analysis (Cox, p = 0.001) alongside resection margin status (p = 0.002) and tumor size (p = 0.051).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative CA19-9 and PLR both merit further evaluation as prognostic indices in resected ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) protein is associated with short survival in resected ampullary cancer

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine is an acceptable alternative to best supportive care in the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancers. The human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) is a ubiquitous protein and is the major means by which gemcitabine enters human cells. Moreover, recent reports indicate a significant correlation between immunohistochemical variations of hENT1 in tumor samples and survival after gemcitabine therapy in patients with solid tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used immunohistochemistry to assess the abundance and distribution of hENT1 in tumor samples from radically resected cancer of the ampulla, and sought correlations between immunohistochemical results and clinical parameters including disease outcomes.

RESULTS

In the 41 individual tumors studied, 12 (29.3%) had uniformly high hENT1 immunostaining. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between hENT1 and Ki-67 (P = 0.04). No statistical significant differences were found between immunohistochemical findings and patient characteristics (sex, age, and tumor-node-metastasis). On univariate analysis, hENT1 and Ki-67 expression were associated with overall survival (OS). Specifically, those patients with overexpression of hENT1 showed a shorter OS (P = 0.022) and those with high Ki-67 staining showed a shorter survival (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

hENT1 expression is a molecular prognostic marker for patients with resected ampullary cancer and holds promise as a predictive factor to assist in chemotherapy decisions.

Role of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy in adenocarcinomas of the ampulla of vater

PURPOSE

The role of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in the treatment of ampullary cancers remains undefined. We retrospectively compared treatment outcomes in patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy alone versus those who received additional adjuvant CRT.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between May 1990 and January 2006, 54 of 96 patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma who underwent potentially curative pancreaticoduodenectomy also received adjuvant CRT. The median preoperative radiation dose was 45 Gy (range, 30-50.4 Gy) and median postoperative dose was 50.4 Gy (range, 45-55.8 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy included primarily 5-fluorouracil (52%) and capecitabine (43%). Median follow-up was 31 months. Univariate and multivariate statistical methodologies were used to determine significant prognostic factors for local control (LC), distant control (DC), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Actuarial 5-year LC, DC, and OS were 77%, 69%, and 64%, respectively. On univariate analysis, age, gender, race/ethnicity, tumor grade, use of adjuvant treatment, and sequencing of adjuvant therapy were not significantly associated with LC, DC, or OS. However, on univariate analysis, T3/T4 tumor stage was prognostic for poorer LC and OS (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively); node-positive disease was prognostic for poorer LC (p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, T3/T4 tumor stage was independently prognostic for decreased OS (p = 0.002). Among these patients (n = 34), those who received adjuvant CRT had a trend toward improved OS (median, 35.2 vs. 16.5 months; p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Ampullary cancers have a distinctly better treatment outcome than pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Higher primary tumor stage (T3/T4), an independent adverse risk factor for poorer treatment outcomes, may warrant the addition of adjuvant CRT to pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Predictors of recurrence after pancreaticoduodenectomy in ampullary cancer: comparison between non-, early and late recurrence

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Ampullary cancer is one of the periampullary cancers with a better prognosis, but relapse still occurs early in some patients. We sought to find predictors of recurrence to facilitate decisions about postoperative therapy.

METHODS

Between January 1989 and March 2006, information was gathered on a total of 127 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy for ampullary cancer at National Cheng Kung University Hospital and Tainan Municipal Hospital. Clinical information, histopathologic results and long-term outcomes were collected and predictors for recurrence were identified.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients (46%) survived without evidence of recurrence (non-recurrence), while 32 patients (25%) suffered recurrent disease after 12 months (late recurrence) and 37 patients (29%) developed recurrent disease within 12 months (early recurrence). The median follow-up for non-recurrence was 65 months, 13 months for early recurrence, and 36 months for late recurrence. Patterns of recurrence were similar, without any significant difference between the early recurrence and late recurrence groups. The early and late recurrence patients had higher levels of microscopically (R1) or macroscopically (R2) positive margin of resection and more advanced disease (advanced tumor stage, numbers of lymph nodes involved, lymph node status, pancreatic invasion and TNM stage) than the non-recurrence group. After multivariate analysis, positive resection margin, pancreatic invasion and lymph node involvement were significant predictors for disease recurrence. Lymph node involvement was the main differentiating predictor between the late and early recurrence groups (odds ratio, 1.982; 95% confidence interval, 1.101-3.567; p = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Positive resection margin, pancreatic invasion, and lymph node involvement were found to be predictors for disease recurrence and indicators for postoperative treatment.

Adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: T-stage, chromosome 17p allelic loss, and extended pancreaticoduodenectomy are relevant prognostic factors

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic significance of different clinico-pathological and molecular factors, and to compare survival after standard and extended pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma (AVAC). There are discordant data on factors affecting prognosis, and hence therapeutic choices, in AVAC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical-pathological factors were evaluated in 59 patients, subjected to PD for AVAC; in 42 subjects information on chromosome 17p and 18q allelic losses (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) was also available. The association between survival and type of PD was investigated in the 25 patients operated between 1990 and 2001 (16 standard and nine extended).

RESULTS

The overall 5- and 10-year tumor-related survival rates were 46% and 33%, respectively. Sixteen patients had T-stages 1-2, 14 T-stage 3, and 29 T-stage 4 cancers. Chromosome 17p and 18q LOH were detected in 23 (55%) and 15 cases (36%), respectively, and in 12 cases (29%) coexisted. Five cases were MSI-positive (12%). At univariate analysis, poor survival was associated with cancer ulceration (P = 0.051), poor differentiation (P = 0.008), T-stage 4 (P < 0.001), nodal metastases (P = 0.004), chromosome 17p (P < 0.001) and 18q LOH (P = 0.002), and absence of MSI (P = 0.009). At multivariate analysis, only T-stage (P = 0.002) and 17p LOH (P = 0.001) were independent predictors of survival. All patients with MSI-positive cancers were long-survivors (>12 yrs), whereas only 30% of MSI-negative cancer patients survived at 5 years. Extended pancreaticoduodenectomy was associated with a 3-year disease-related survival higher than standard resection (83% vs 31%; P = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

MSI and chromosome 17p status allow to better define prognosis within ampullary cancers at the same stage. Surgery alone resulted curative in MSI-positive cancer patients, whereas it was inadequate in patients showing allelic losses, who might benefit from adjuvant therapy. In this observational study, extended PD was associated with increased survival compared to standard procedures.

Factors influencing recurrence after curative resection for ampulla of Vater carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater has a relatively higher resection rate, lower recurrence rate, and more favorable prognosis than other malignant tumors of the periampullary region. Because of the relative low incidence of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, there have been few reports on the patterns and risk factors of recurrence after curative resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns and risk factors of recurrence after curative resection of ampulla of Vater carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1992 and December 2002, 102 patients received radical resection for ampulla of Vater carcinoma at Yonsei University Medical Center. Fifteen patients were excluded because of incomplete clinicopathologic data. Finally, 87 patients were reviewed and analyzed to assess predictors of tumor recurrence.

RESULTS

Among the 87 patients, 37 patients (42.5%) experienced recurrent disease. The mean length of time to recurrence was 29.3 +/- 35.3 months, and the most common sites of recurrence were the intra-abdominal organs: liver and loco-regional lymph nodes. The patients were divided into two groups: early recurrence (<or=18 months) and late recurrence (>18 months). In the early recurrence group, ulcer formation tumors and poorly differentiated tumors were more common in comparison with the late recurrence group. Lymph node metastasis was identified as an independent factor of tumor recurrence after curative resection for ampulla of Vater carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node metastasis is the most important risk factor for recurrence after a curative resection. Also, the fact that a higher probability of recurrence is anticipated in cases of ulcer formation and poorly differentiated tumors, there exists a need for a close-up follow-up program.

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater: factors influencing long-term survival of 127 patients with resection

INTRODUCTION

The prognosis for patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is improved relative to other periampullary neoplasms. Identification of independent prognostic factors in ampullary carcinomas has been limited by the small number of tumors resected. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinicopathologic factors that influence long-term survival in patients with resected ampullary carcinoma.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic data were retrospectively reviewed for patients with ampullary carcinomas radically resected between March 1987 and September 2002. The correlation between clinicopathologic variables and survival of patients after resection was examined by the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression. Ampullary carcinomas were radically resected in 127 patients either by pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 124) or local resection (n = 3).

RESULTS

Hospital mortality was 9.7%. The overall actuarial survival rates (including hospital deaths) at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 76.2%, 46.8%, 43.3%, and 35.7%, respectively. Factors that significantly influenced survival were lymph node status (P < 0.001), depth of tumor infiltration (P = 0.029), and TNM stage (P < 0.001) on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, both depth of infiltration and lymph node status were the independent determinants of survival after resection (P = 0.003, P = 0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater has a higher resectability rate and a much better survival rate than pancreatic cancer. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the treatment of choice for this tumor. Long-term survival was independently influenced by the depth of tumor infiltration and lymph node metastasis.

Usefulness of follow-up after pancreatoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (CAV) is better than for pancreatic cancer. The 5-year survival median rate after resection of CAV is 45%, but late recurrences remain possible. Several survival factors have been identified (lymph nodes, perineural invasion), but few data are available on the type of recurrences, their impact and their management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 41 patients treated by pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for CAV from 1980 to 2003 were studied retrospectively. Patient selection, long-term survival recurrence rate and recurrence treatment were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate proportional hazards analysis were conducted on this series.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 48 months. Five-year survival was 62.8%. Eleven patients had recurrences (6-67 months). Recurrence was associated with time to all-causes death (hazard ratio [HR] 4.3, p=0.003). Factors predictive of recurrence were perineural invasion (HR 5.3, p=0.02), lymph node invasion (HR 5.3, p=0.02) and differentiation (HR 0.2, p=0.05). Three patients underwent surgical R0 treatment of their recurrences. Two who presented with solitary liver metastasis are alive and disease-free.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence represents a serious threat in the prognosis of CAV after surgery. Some of these recurrences, in particular liver metastases, are accessible for a curative treatment. This finding supports the usefulness of a close and long-term follow-up after surgery to improve survival of patients with CAV, especially in the group of patients with a good prognosis.

Predictors for patterns of failure after pancreaticoduodenectomy in ampullary cancer

BACKGROUND

Ampullary cancer has the best prognosis in periampullary malignancy but unpredicted early recurrence after resection is frequent. The current study tried to find the predictors for recurrence to be used as determinative for postoperative adjuvant therapy.

METHODS

Information was collected from patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy for ampullary cancer in high-volume hospitals between January 1989 and April 2005. Recurrence patterns and survival rates were calculated and predictors were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 135 eligible patients were included. The 30-day operative mortality was 3%. Median followup for relapse-free patients was 52 months. Disease recurred in 57 (42%) patients, including 31 liver metastases, 26 locoregional recurrences, 9 peritoneal carcinomatoses, 7 bone metastases, and 6 other sites. Pancreatic invasion (P = 0.04) and tumor size (P = 0.05) were the predictors for locoregional recurrence, while lymph node metastasis was the sole predictor for liver metastasis (P = 0.01). The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 45.7%; 77.7% for stage I, 28.5% for stage II, and 16.5% for stage III; and 63.7% for node-negative versus 19.1% for node-positive patients. Pancreatic invasion and lymph node involvement were both predictors for survival of patients with ampullary cancer.

CONCLUSION

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymphadenectomy is adequate for early-stage ampullary cancer but a dismal outcome can be predicted in patients with lymph node metastasis and pancreatic invasion. Lymph node metastasis and pancreatic invasion can be used to guide individualized, risk-oriented adjuvant therapy.

Impact of lymph node metastasis on survival in patients with pathological T1 carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

To determine the prognostic factors for patients with pathological T1 (pT1) carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, 36 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater who underwent surgery were retrospectively analyzed in terms of clinicopathological features. The overall 5-year Kaplan-Meier survival in all patients was 50.2%, and the median survival of all patients was 64.0 months. Factors favorably influencing a long-term outcome were the absence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001), the absence of ulcer formation of the tumor (P = 0.0062), and the absence of tumor invasion into the duodenum (P = 0.0025) and the pancreas (P = 0.0098). In a multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis was the only predictor of survival (P = 0.0023). In the pT1 stage patients, 20% of the patients had lymph node metastasis, and their survival was statistically poor compared to the pT1 patients without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.017). As for survival after the operation, there was no significant difference between pancreatoduodenectomy and pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy.

Clinical significance of immunohistochemically detectable lymph node metastasis in adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of immunohistochemically identified lymph node metastasis on survival in patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

METHODS

Three hundred and twenty-six regional lymph nodes dissected from pancreatoduodenectomy specimens from 25 patients with ampulla of Vater carcinoma were immunostained with anticytokeratin antibody (CAM 5.2). The clinicopathological significance of immunohistochemically detectable lymph node metastasis was evaluated and compared with that of other potential prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The frequency of lymph node involvement in relation to the total number of dissected lymph nodes increased from 5.5 per cent (18 of 326) using haematoxylin and eosin staining to 9.5 per cent (31 of 326) using cytokeratin immunostaining (P < 0.001). Lymph node involvement was revealed by haematoxylin and eosin staining in eight of 25 patients and by cytokeratin immunostaining in 11 of 25 patients (P = 0.006). Absence of immunohistochemically detectable lymph node metastasis was identified as an independent predictor of improved postoperative survival.

CONCLUSION

Immunostaining of dissected lymph nodes adds additional information to data obtained by conventional haematoxylin and eosin staining when determining the prognosis of patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

Predictors of failure after pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Complete resection offers the only potential cure for ampullary carcinoma. We analyzed factors that contribute to treatment failure and survival in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between August 1994 and August 2003 for ampullary carcinoma. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic data were collected. Chi-square analysis was used for categorical data and the t-test was used for continuous variables. Kaplan-Meier analyses were compared using the log-rank test to examine patient survival.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients (24 men) aged 63.7 +/- 11.4 years (standard deviation) were followed for a mean of 23.9 months (median 660 days, range 18 to 2,249 days). Jaundice (n = 33) and weight loss (n = 13) were the most common presenting symptoms. Stage (p < 0.01) and degree of differentiation (p < 0.029) were significant predictors of failure by univariate analysis. But only stage (p < 0.04) was a significant predictor by multivariate analysis. Further analysis revealed that nodal status (p < 0.001), but not tumor grade, was a significant predictor of treatment failure. Neither demographic nor clinical variables were significant predictors. Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 67.4% and 51.4%, respectively. Both metastases and disease recurrence had significant impact on patient survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor stage is associated with treatment failure after pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma and may identify candidates for adjuvant therapy. Because an aggressive surgical approach can be adopted safely with the best chance for cure, we recommend that pancreaticoduodenectomy be offered to all patients with ampullary tumors when malignancy or dysplasia is in question.

Pancreatoduodenectomy for tumors of Vater's ampulla: report on 94 consecutive patients

Evaluation of prognostic factors of adenocarcinoma of Vater's ampulla is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively factors that influence early and long-term outcomes in a 20-year single-institution experience on ampullary carcinoma. A total of 94 consecutive patients with ampullary carcinoma or adenoma with severe dysplasia were managed from 1981 to 2002. Among them, 64 underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, and the remaining 30 submitted to surgical (n = 5) or endoscopic (n = 25) palliative treatment. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic data were collected, and a comparison was made between patients who did or did not undergo resection. Standard statistical analyses were carried out in an attempt to establish a correlation between clinical variables, intraoperative and pathologic factors, and survival in patients with resection. A total of 85 (90.4%) patients had potentially resectable lesions due to the extent of the tumor, but only 64 (68%) underwent curative resection. The surgical morbidity rate was 34.3%. Postoperative mortality was 9.3%, with no deaths among the 38 more recently treated patients. Median survivals were 9 and 54 months for nonresected and resected patients, respectively. The overall 5-year survival was 64.4% for patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy. Survival was found to be significantly affected by resection, tumor size, tumor grade, and tumor infiltration. Patients with negative lymph nodes show a trend toward longer survival. In a multivariate analysis, only the depth of tumor infiltration influenced patient survival. Pancreatoduodenectomy is the treatment of choice for ampullary carcinoma and adenomas with high-grade dysplasia, with a good chance of long-term survival. Surgical resection remains the most important factor influencing outcome.

Adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in ampullary cancers

PURPOSE

Patterns of failure following surgical treatment of ampullary cancers indicate that up to 45% of patients develop loco-regional recurrence. The effect of adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy on survival and loco-regional control is not yet established in this malignancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1989 to December 2000, 113 patients underwent pancreatico-duodenectomy for ampullary cancer. One hundred and four patients who survived the operation were available for analysis to study the effect of adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy on survival and loco-regional control. Forty-nine patients received adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (median dose 50.4 Gy with concurrent 5-Flurouracil) and long-term outcome in these patients was compared with those 55 who did not receive adjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

The overall median survival was 30.1 (range 1.6-140.0) months with actuarial 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates of 79, 43 and 33%, respectively. No significant difference in median survival (34.6 vs 24.5 months; P=0.3) and actuarial 5-year survival rates (38 vs 28%) was seen between those who received and those who did not receive adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy did not influence the survival in high-risk patients (P=0.84), in various T and N stages and had no impact on loco-regional recurrence (P=0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy did not improve the long-term survival or decrease recurrence rates in patients with ampullary cancers who had undergone pancreatico-duodenectomy.

A novel cell line and xenograft model of ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma

Ampulla of Vater cancers (AVC) are of clinical relevance, as they represent more than one-third of patients undergoing surgery for pancreaticoduodenal malignancies and have a better prognosis than periampullary cancers of pancreaticobiliary origin. The availability of cellular models is crucial to perform cell biology and pharmacological studies and clarify the relationship between AVC and pancreatic and biliary cancers. Numerous cell lines are available for pancreatic and biliary adenocarcinomas, while only two have been reported recently for AVC. These were derived from a poor and a well-differentiated AVC, and both had wild-type K- ras and mutated p53. We report the establishment of a novel AVC cell line (AVC1) derived from a moderately differentiated cancer, having a mutated K- ras, wild-type p53, and methylated p16. Thus, our cell line adds to the spectrum of available in vitro models representative of the different morphological and molecular presentations of primary AVC. We further characterized AVC1 for the expression of relevant cell surface molecules and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents of common clinical use. It expresses MHC-I and CD95/Fas, while HLA-DR, CD40, CD80, CD86, MUC-1, MUC-2, and ICAM-1/CD54 are absent. It has a low to moderate sensitivity to both 5-FU and gemcitabine, at variance with much higher sensitivity displayed by two pancreatic ductal carcinoma cell lines. Lastly, AVC1 can be readily xenografted in immunodeficient mice, making it a suitable model for pre-clinical studies.