High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with liver metastasis and a poor prognosis for patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Analysis of liver metastasis after resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

AIM: To investigate the risk factors affecting the liver metastasis (LM) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after resection.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 101 PDAC patients who underwent surgical resection at the Samsung Medical Center between January 2000 and December 2004. Forty one patients with LM were analyzed for the time of metastasis, prognostic factors affecting LM, and survival.

RESULTS: LM was found in 40.6%. The median time of the LM (n = 41) was 6.0 ± 4.6 mo and most LM occurred within 1 year. In univariate analysis, tumor size, preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and perineural invasion were factors affecting LM after resection. In multivariate analysis, tumor size was the most important factor for LM. In univariate analysis, tumor cell differentiation was significant to LM in low-risk groups.

CONCLUSION: LM after resection of PDAC occurs early and shows poor survival. Tumor size is the key indicator for LM after resection.