The Clinical Indications for Limited Surgery of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas

Recurrence following Resection of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: A Systematic Review to Guide Surveillance

Patients who undergo resection for non-invasive IPMN are at risk for long-term recurrence. Further evidence is needed to identify evidence-based surveillance strategies based on the risk of recurrence. We performed a systematic review of the current literature regarding recurrence patterns following resection of non-invasive IPMN to summarize evidence-based recommendations for surveillance. Among the 61 studies reviewed, a total of 8779 patients underwent resection for non-invasive IPMN. The pooled overall median follow-up time was 49.5 months (IQR: 38.5-57.7) and ranged between 14.1 months and 114 months. The overall median recurrence rate for patients with resected non-invasive IPMN was 8.8% (IQR: 5.0, 15.6) and ranged from 0% to 27.6%. Among the 33 studies reporting the time to recurrence, the overall median time to recurrence was 24 months (IQR: 17, 46). Existing literature on recurrence rates and post-resection surveillance strategies for patients with resected non-invasive IPMN varies greatly. Patients with resected non-invasive IPMN appear to be at risk for long-term recurrence and should undergo routine surveillance.

Systematic review of challenging issues in pathology of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are a cystic precursor to pancreatic cancer. IPMNs deemed clinically to be at high-risk for malignant progression are frequently treated with surgical resection, and pathological examination of the pancreatectomy specimen is a key component of the clinical care of IPMN patients.

METHODS

Systematic literature reviews were conducted around eight topics of clinical relevance in the examination of pathological specimens in patients undergoing resection of IPMN.

RESULTS

This review provides updated perspectives on morphological subtyping of IPMNs, classification of intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasms, nomenclature for high-grade dysplasia, assessment of T stage, distinction of carcinoma associated or concomitant with IPMN, role of molecular assessment of IPMN tissue, role of intraoperative assessment by frozen section, and preoperative evaluation of cyst fluid cytology.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis provides the foundation for data-driven approaches to several challenging issues in the pathology of IPMNs.

Analyzing and predicting the LNM rate and prognosis of patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas

Background

Current the surveillance and management are controversial for patients with IPMN. We aimed to develop an alternative nomogram to individualize IPMN prognosis and LNM.

Methods

Based on the data from SEER database of patients diagnosed with IPMN between 2004 and 2015, a nomogram predicting the survival and LNM of IPMN based on univariate and multivariate and Lasso regression analysis was performed, internally and externally validated, and measured by C‐index, and decision curve analysis (DCA), and compared to the 7^th TNM stage.

Results

A total of 941 patients were included. Age, T stage examined nodes, tumor size, and pathology grade were identified as an independent factor for predicting LNM. The nomogram we established to predict LNM had a high predicting value with a C‐index value of 0.735 and an AUC value of 0.753. Interestingly, including T1 stage, we found an inverse correlation was between age and LNM. In addition, nomogram for predicting CSS also performed better than TNM stage both in the internal validation group (1‐year AUC:0.753 vs. 0.693, 3‐year AUC: 0.801 vs. 0.731, 5‐year AUC: 0.803 vs. 0.733) and external validation group (1‐year AUC: 0.761 vs. 0.701, 3‐year AUC: 0.772 vs. 0.713, 5‐year AUC:0.811 vs. 0.735). DCA analysis showed the nomogram showed a greater benefit across the period of follow‐up compared to 7^th TNM stage.

Conclusion

A nomogram based on multivariate and Lasso regression analysis showed great clinical usability compared with current criteria. Also, for LNM of IPMN, younger age patients with IPMN should be attached more importance.

Accuracy of Fukuoka and American Gastroenterological Association Guidelines for Predicting Advanced Neoplasia in Pancreatic Cyst Neoplasm: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

A differential diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs) is critical to determine optimal treatment. The Fukuoka and American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines are the most widely accepted criteria for the management of PCNs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of these guidelines in predicting advanced neoplasia (AN).

METHODS

A comprehensive electronic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases was conducted to identify all relevant studies evaluating the Fukuoka and AGA guidelines in surgically resected and histologically confirmed PCNs. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) were calculated as compound measures of diagnostic accuracy using the random-effects model. Summary of receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves and the area under the curve (AUC) were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies with 3723 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Of these studies, 15, 4, and 2 evaluated the Fukuoka guidelines, the AGA guidelines, and both guidelines, respectively. For AN prediction, the Fukuoka guidelines had a pooled sensitivity of 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.70), pooled specificity of 0.64 (95% CI 0.62-0.66), and pooled DOR of 6.28 (95% CI 4.38-9.01), with an AUC of the SROC of 0.78. AGA guidelines showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.59 (95% CI 0.52-0.65), pooled specificity of 0.77 (95% CI 0.74-0.80), and pooled DOR of 5.84 (95% CI 2.60-13.15), with an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.70-0.88).

CONCLUSION

When used alone, the Fukuoka and AGA guidelines showed similar but unsatisfactory diagnostic accuracy in the risk stratification of malignant potential of PCN. Thus, we recommend that they be applied only as a broad framework in clinical practice.

Splenic artery as a simple landmark indicating difficulty during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy

INTRODUCTION

The use of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is increasing worldwide. It is important for surgeons to predict preoperatively the difficulty and risks of a surgery. However, very few reports have evaluated the impact of patient or tumor factors on the difficulty of LDP. We aimed to determine the predictors of technical difficulties when performing LDP.

METHODS

This study included 34 patients who underwent LDP. Patient information was obtained retrospectively and included age, gender, BMI, primary disease, previous abdominal surgery, previous pancreatitis, tumor size, tumor proximity to the splenic arterial origin, type of splenic artery (SpA), operative time, blood loss, postoperative pancreatic fistula, and length of hospital stay. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors of a long operative time. SpA anatomy was classified into two types based on the relationship between its origin and the pancreas. Patients whose SpA origin was upward of the pancreatic parenchyma were classified as SpA type 1, whereas patients whose SpA origin was covered by the pancreatic parenchyma were classified as SpA type 2.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis revealed SpA type 2 to be an independent risk factor for a long operation (odds ratio = 9.925; 95% confidence interval: 1.461-67.412; P = 0.019). SpA type 2 was related to a longer operative time (P < 0.001) and greater intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Classification according to SpA type is simple and useful for predicting technical difficulty when performing LDP.

Systematic review of the clinical utility and validity of the Sendai and Fukuoka Consensus Guidelines for the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas

BACKGROUND

This systematic review was performed to assess the clinical utility of the Sendai Consensus Guidelines (SCG) and Fukuoka Consensus Guidelines (FCG) for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).

METHODS

A computerized search of PubMed was performed to identify all the studies which evaluated the SCG and FCG in surgically resected, histologically confirmed IPMNs.

RESULTS

Ten studies evaluating the FCG, 8 evaluating the SCG and 4 evaluating both guidelines were included. In 14 studies evaluating the FCG, out of a total of 2498 neoplasms, 849 were malignant and 1649 were benign neoplasms. Pooled analysis showed that 751 of 1801 (42%) FCG+ve neoplasms were malignant and 599 neoplasms of 697 (86%) FCG-ve neoplasms were benign. PPV of the high risk and worrisome risk groups were 465/986 (47%) and 239/520 (46%) respectively. In 12 studies evaluating the SCG, 1234 neoplasms were analyzed of which 388 (31%) were malignant and 846 (69%) were benign. Pooled analysis demonstrated that 265 of 802 (33%) SCG+ve neoplasms were malignant and 238 of 266 SCG-ve (90%) neoplasms were benign.

CONCLUSION

The FCG had a higher positive predictive value (PPV) compared to the SCG. However, the negative predictive value (NPV) of the FCG was slightly lower than that of the SCG. Malignant and even invasive IPMN may be missed according to both guidelines.