Prognostic Significance of the Lymph Node Ratio in Surgical Patients With Distal Cholangiocarcinoma

Adjuvant Chemoradiation in Patients with Lymph Node-Positive Biliary Tract Cancers: Secondary Analysis of a Single-Arm Clinical Trial (SWOG 0809)

BACKGROUND

SWOG 0809 is the only prospective study of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation focusing on margin status in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) and gallbladder cancer (GBCA); however, the effects of adjuvant therapy by nodal status have never been reported in this population.

METHODS

Patients with resected EHCC and GBCA, stage pT2-4, node-positive (N+) or margin-positive (R1) who completed four cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy were included. Cox regression was used to compare overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence, and distant metastasis by nodal status. DFS rates were compared with historical data via a one-sample t-test.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients [EHCC, n = 46 (66%); GBCA, n = 23 (33%)] were evaluated, with a median age of 61.7 years and an R0 rate of 66.7% and R1 rate of 33.3%. EHCC versus GBCA was more likely to be N+ (73.9% vs. 47.8%, p = 0.03). Nodal status did not significantly impact OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-4.54, p = 0.11) or DFS (HR 1.63, 95% CI 0.77-3.44, p = 0.20). Two-year OS was 70.6% for node-negative (N0) disease and 60.9% for N+ disease, while 2-year DFS was 62.5% for N0 tumors and 49.8% for N+ tumors. N+ versus N0 tumors showed higher rates of distant failure (42.2% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.04). The 2-year DFS rate in N+ tumors was significantly higher than in historical controls (49.8% vs. 29.7%, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant therapy is associated with favorable outcome independent of nodal status and may impact local control in N+ patients. These data could serve as a benchmark for future adjuvant trials, including molecular-targeted agents.

Predictors of Distant Metastasis and Prognosis in Newly Diagnosed T1 Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

According to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th staging system, T1 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (T1 ICC) is considered a tumor with no vascular invasion. However, T1 ICC usually occurs distant metastasis (DM), and the clinical features of these patients could help clinicians identify the high-risk population.

Methods

We reviewed 1959 newly diagnosed patients with T1 ICC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database during 2004-2018. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to predict the risk of DM and overall survival (OS), respectively, and then, web-based nomograms were constructed. Decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curves (CIC) were used to measure the clinical utility of the models. The low-, medium-, and high-risk groups were identified by calculating the summary of the risk points. Nomograms on the web were also created to help clinicians better use these prediction models.

Results

Tumor size and lymph node metastasis accounted for the first two largest proportions among the DM nomogram scores, while surgery, DM, age at diagnosis, chemotherapy, and lymph node metastasis occupied the largest percentage in OS nomogram. DM nomogram was established for these newly diagnosed patients with T1 ICC, and OS nomogram was developed to visually predict the OS rate of 3, 5, and 10 years. The calibration curves revealed a valid predictive accuracy of nomograms, of which the C-index was 0.703 and 0.740, respectively, for good discrimination. DCAs, CICs, and risk subgroups showed the clinical validity of these nomograms. Two websites were created to make it easier to use these nomograms.

Conclusions

Novel web-based nomograms predicting the risk of DM and OS for T1 ICC were constructed. These predictive tools might help clinicians make precise clinical strategies for each patient with T1 ICC.

Analysis of factors associated with the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer and the construction of a survival model

OBJECTIVE

To study the survival prediction value of lymph node ratio (LNR) and preoperative thyroglobulin (Tg) in the prognosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

A total of 495 patients with PTC and lymph node metastasis treated at the Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were selected for a retrospective study. The disease-free survival (DFS) of patients was the follow-up endpoint. DFS was calculated for all patients. The Cox proportional risk regression model and nomogram were used to predict the survival prognosis of PTC with lymph node metastasis by index. LNR and preoperative Tg level cutoff values were obtained using ROC curves. To express DFS, Kaplan-Meier survival curves were created. Using 3- and 5-year calibration curves and AUC values, the prognostic models' precision and discrimination were assessed. Clinical decision curve analysis was used to forecast clinical benefitability. Finally, the results were validated using internal cross-validation.

RESULTS

The cutoff values of LNR and preoperative Tg level were 0.295 and 50.24, respectively, and they were divided into two groups according to the cutoff values. Multifactorial Cox regression models showed that NLNM, LNR, and preoperative Tg level (all p < 0.05) were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of PTC with lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher DFS rates in the group with low NLNM (<10), LNR (<0.295), and preoperative Tg level (<50.24) groups. The 3-year and 5-year calibration curves showed good agreement. A ROC curve analysis was performed on the nomogram model, and its AUC values at 3 and 5 years were, respectively, 0.805 and 0.793. Clinical decision curves indicate good clinical benefit. Finally, internal cross-validation demonstrated the legitimacy of the prognostic model.

CONCLUSION

The LNR and preoperative Tg levels, in combination with other independent factors, were effective in predicting the survival prognosis for patients with PTC.

The short- and long-term outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to calculate the short-term and long-term outcomes of curative-intent surgery in distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) patients to identify potential prognostic factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 32 consecutive DCC patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2009-2017. The clinicopathological and histopathological data were evaluated for prognostic factors using the univariable Cox regression analysis. The Overall Survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

The study comprised a total of 32 patients, with a mean age of 65.8 (± 9.0) years at the time of surgery. R0 resection was achieved in 25 (86.2%) patients, 19 (65.5%) patients received adjuvant oncological therapy. The OS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 62.5%, 37.5% and 21.9%, respectively. The 90-day mortality was 3/32 (9.4%) accounting for one-fourth of the first-year mortality rate. The median OS was 28.5 months. The only statistically significant prognostic factor was vascular resection, which was associated with worse OS in the univariable analysis (HR: 3.644; 95%-CI: 1.179-11.216, P=0.025). An age less than 65 years, ASA grade I/II, hospital stay of fewer than 15 days, R0 resection, lymph node ratio less than 0.2 and adjuvant oncological therapy tended to be associated with better OS but without statistically significant relevance.

CONCLUSION

The main factor directly influencing the survival of DCC patients is surgical complications. Surgical mortality comprises a significant group of patients, who die in the first year following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Vascular resection is the most important negative prognostic factor for long-term survival.

Lymph Node Ratio Nomogram-Based Prognostic Model for Resected Distal Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Several variables have been described as prognostic factors for resected distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCC), including lymph node metastases (N status) and lymph node ratio (LNR). The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of LNR on survival and to establish a novel prognostic nomogram to predict the cancer-specific recurrence-free survival (RFS) of dCC.

STUDY DESIGN

Between December 2006 and September 2020, 415 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for dCC in 10 centers were identified. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to identify all independent risk factors among several prognostic factors. A nomogram was then developed and assessed by integrating the independent prognostic factors into the model, and the concordance index (C-index) was used to evaluate its performance.

RESULTS

According to Cox regression multivariate analysis, a nomogram based on independent prognostic factor for RFS was performed including LNR 15 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.442, 95% CI 1.348-4.425, p = 0.003), perineural invasion (HR 3.100, 95% CI 1.183-8.122, p = 0.025), differentiation grade (HR 2.100, 95% CI 1.172-4.143, p = 0.021), and radicality of PD (HR 2.276, 95% CI 1.223-4.234, p = 0.009). The C-index of the nomogram, tailored based on the previous significant factors, was 0.8.

CONCLUSIONS

LNR15 yields a high prognostic efficiency for RFS. The nomogram based on LNR can provide an accurate prognosis assessment for patients with resected dCC.

Surgical Treatment of Distal Cholangiocarcinoma

Distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) is a rare malignancy arising from the epithelial cells of the distal biliary tract and has a poor prognosis. dCCA is often clinically silent and patients commonly present with locally advanced and/or distant disease. For patients identified with early stage, resectable disease, surgical resection with negative margins remains the only curative treatment strategy available. However, despite appropriate treatment and diligent surveillance, risk of recurrence remains high with nearly 50% of patients experiencing recurrence at 5 years subsequent to surgical resection; therefore, it is prudent to continue to optimize neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in order to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve overall survival. In this review, we discuss the clinical presentation, workup and surgical treatment of dCCA.

Low preoperative psoas muscle mass index is a risk factor for distal cholangiocarcinoma recurrence after pancreatoduodenectomy: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate whether preoperative muscle mass is associated with the recurrence of distal cholangiocarcinoma after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

We retrospectively examined 88 patients who had undergone PD for distal cholangiocarcinoma. The preoperative psoas muscle mass index (PMI) was measured using computed tomography as an index of muscle mass. We performed multivariate analysis of factors influencing early recurrence and developed a prognostic survival model using independent risk factors for recurrence.

RESULTS

The cut-off PMI values for recurrence within 1 year of surgery, determined from the receiver operating characteristic curve, were 5.90 cm²/m² in males and 3.98 cm²/m² in females. Multivariate analysis of effects associated with early recurrence within 1 year indicated that low PMI (odds ratio [OR] 9.322; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.832 - 30.678; p = 0.0002) and lymph node metastasis (OR 5.474; 95% CI 1.620 - 18.497; p = 0.0062) were independent risk factors, and the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the low and high PMI groups were 21.6 and 81.0 months, respectively (p = 0.0214). The median RFS for zero, one, and two risk factors of low PMI and lymph node metastasis were as follows: zero variables, median not reached; one variable, 15.3 months; two variables: 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Low preoperative PMI may be a risk factor for distal cholangiocarcinoma recurrence after PD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Institutional Review Board of St. Marianna University School of Medicine approved this study prior to commencement of data collection and analysis on October 9, 2020 (IRB no. 5006) and waived the informed consent requirement.

Development and external validation of a prediction model for overall survival after resection of distal cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Various prognostic factors are associated with overall survival (OS) after resection of distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA). The objective of this study was to develop and validate a prediction model for 3-year OS after pancreatoduodenectomy for dCCA.

METHODS

The derivation cohort consisted of all patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for dCCA in the Netherlands (2009-2016). Clinically relevant variables were selected based on the Akaike information criterion using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model, with model performance being assessed by concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots. External validation was performed using patients from the Belgium Cancer Registry (2008-2016), and patients from two university hospitals of Southampton (U.K.) and Verona (Italy).

RESULTS

Independent prognostic factors for OS in the derivation cohort of 454 patients after pancreatoduodenectomy for dCCA were age (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), pT (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.07-1.90) and pN category (pN1: HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.37-2.32; pN2: HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.63-3.01), resection margin status (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.39-2.29) and tumour differentiation (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.62-2.53). The prediction model was based on these prognostic factors. The optimism-adjusted C-indices were similar in the derivation cohort (0.69), and in the Belgian (0.66) and Southampton-Verona (0.68) validation cohorts. Calibration was accurate in the Belgian validation cohort (slope = 0.93, intercept = 0.12), but slightly less optimal in the Southampton-Verona validation cohort (slope = 0.88, intercept = 0.32). Based on this model, three risk groups with different prognoses were identified (3-year OS of 65.4%, 33.2% and 11.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The prediction model for 3-year OS after resection of dCCA had reasonable performance in both the derivation and geographically external validation cohort. Calibration slightly differed between validation cohorts. The model is readily available via www. pancreascalculator.com to inform patients from Western European countries on their prognosis, and may be used to stratify patients for clinical trials.

Spread of lymph node metastasis and adjuvant therapy for distal cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lymphatic metastasis is a major route of metastasis in distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). The present study aimed to elucidate the pattern of lymph node (LN) metastasis and the effectiveness of LN dissection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with DCC.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgical resection with curative intent for DCC were enrolled. The nomenclature of the LN stations was defined according to the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery guidelines. Effectiveness of LN dissection of each station was calculated using frequency of LN metastasis to the station and 5-year survival rate of patients with LN metastasis to that station.

RESULTS

Of the 105 patients included in the study, 46 (43.8%) had LN metastasis, and 43 (41.0%) underwent postoperative adjuvant therapy. LN metastasis, serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level > 37 U/mL, and positive bile duct margin were independent risk factors for shorter overall survival (OS). The most common metastatic LN station at surgery was No. 13 (32.7%), followed by No. 12 (19.2%), No. 17 (9.6%), and No. 8 (6.6%). There was no effectiveness of LN dissection of the station No. 8, 14, and 16. Adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with longer OS in patients with LN metastasis but not in those with positive ductal margins or serum CA 19-9 level > 37 U/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a better prognosis in patients with DCC and LN metastasis. However, a more effective therapeutic strategy is required to improve the prognosis of patients with other negative prognostic factors.

Prognostic nomogram for predicting cancer-specific survival in patients with resected hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a large cohort study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to establish and validate a novel prognostic nomogram of cancer-specific survival (CSS) in resected hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) patients.

METHODS

A training cohort of 536 patients and an internal validation cohort of 270 patients were included in this study. The demographic and clinicopathological variables were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed in the training cohort, followed by the construction of nomogram for CSS. The performance of the nomogram was assessed by concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots and compared with the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging systems. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was applied to measure the predictive power and clinical value of the nomogram.

RESULTS

The nomogram incorporating age, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node ratio (LNR) and T stage parameters was with a C-index of 0.655 in the training cohort, 0.626 in the validation cohort, compared with corresponding 0.631, 0.626 for the AJCC 8th staging system. The calibration curves exhibited excellent agreement between CSS probabilities predicted by nomogram and actual observation in the training cohort and validation cohort. DCA indicated that this nomogram generated substantial clinical value.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed nomogram provided a more accurate prognostic prediction of CSS for individual patients with resected HCCA than the AJCC 8th staging system, which might be served as an effective tool to stratify resected HCCA patients with high risk and facilitate optimizing therapeutic benefit.

Comparison of Four Lymph Node Stage Methods for Predicting the Prognosis of Distal Cholangiocarcinoma Patients After Surgery

Background

The metastatic status of regional lymph nodes is an effective risk factor for the prognosis of distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA). But existing lymph node staging is not accurate enough and is susceptible to interference. This study aims to explore the predictive ability of the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) staging system of dCCA compared with existing lymph node staging systems.

Methods

A total of 928 dCCA patients were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database as the training cohort, and 207 dCCA patients from West China Hospital who underwent surgery were reviewed as the validation cohort. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression were conducted to identify the most meaningful factors relevant to prognosis. The performance of four lymph node stage systems was compared by a model-based approach.

Result

Age at diagnosis, pathological grade, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor 7th T stage, tumor size, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and lymph node stage system were independent prognostic factors. The model with the LODDS system had a better model fit with the highest C-index (0.679) and 1-/3-/5- area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (0.739/0.671/0.658) as well as the lowest Akaike information criterion (AIC) (5,020.52). External validation results from 207 dCCA patients showed a C-index of 0.647 and 1-/3-/5-AUC of 0.740/0.683/0.589. Compared with the lymph node ratio (LNR), AJCC 8th N system, and 7th N system, the 5-year net reclassification improvement (NRI) of the LODDS system was 0.030 (95% CI: -0.079 to 0.147), 0.042 (95% CI: -0.062 to 0.139), and 0.040 (95% CI: -0.057 to 0.146), respectively. The integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of LODDS improved compared with the LNR model (0.016; 95% CI: -0.001 to 0.036), AJCC 8th N system (0.020; 95% CI: 0.003-0.037), and AJCC 7th N system (0.019; 95% CI: 0.002-0.036). Decision curve analysis (DCA) also shows a greater net benefit of LODDS. In lymph node-negative patients, LODDS reveals a positive linear relationship with the hazard ratio (HR). The stage capacity of LODDS in a subgroup analysis stratified by examined lymph node number (ELNN) was consistent.

Conclusions

The LODDS lymph node stage system has superior predictive performance as compared with the LNR, AJCC 7th, and 8th lymph node stage systems. Meanwhile, LODDS has a more detailed staging ability and good stability.

A Nomogram Based on the Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Distal Cholangiocarcinoma After Surgery

Background: Lymph node (LN) metastasis is considered one of the most important risk factors affecting the prognosis of distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC). This study aimed to demonstrate the superiority of log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) compared with other LN stages, and to establish a novel prognostic nomogram to predict the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of DCC.

Methods: From the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, the data of 676 patients after DCC radical operation were screened, and patients were randomly divided into training (n = 474) and validation sets (n = 474). The prognostic evaluation performance of the LODDS and American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) N stage and lymph node ratio (LNR) were compared using the Akaike information criteria, receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC), and C-index. Multivariate Cox analysis was used to screen independent risk factors, and a LODDS-based nomogram prognostic staging model was established. The nomogram's precision was verified by C-index, calibration curves, and AUC, and the results were compared with those of the AJCC TNM staging system.

Results:Compared with the other two stages of LN metastasis, LODDS was most effective in predicting CSS in patients with DCC. Multivariate analysis proved that LODDS, histologic grade, SEER historic stage, and tumor size were independent risk factors for DCC. The C-index of the nomogram, based on the above factors, in the validation set was 0.663. The 1-, 3-, and 5-y AUCs were 0.735, 0.679, and 0.745, respectively. Its good performance was also verified by calibration curves. In addition, the C-index and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the nomogram performed better than the AJCC TNM staging system.

Conclusion:For postoperative patients with DCC, the LODDS stage yielded better prognostic efficiency than the AJCC N and LNR stages. Compared with the AJCC TNM staging system, the nomogram, based on the LODDS, demonstrated superior performance.

The prognostic value of lymph node ratio in comparison to positive lymph node count in penile squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Penile cancer is a rare male neoplasm with a wide variation in its global incidence. In this study, the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) was compared to that of positive lymph node count (PLNC) in penile squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 249 patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled from The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015. The X-tile program was used to calculate the optimal cut-off values of LNR and PLNC that discriminate survival. We used the χ² or the Fisher exact probability test to assess the association between clinical-pathological characteristics and LNR or PLNC. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent prognostic factors for survival. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between LNR and PLNC.

RESULTS

We found that patients with high LNR tended to have advanced N stage, the 7th AJCC stage, and higher pathological grade, while patients with high PLNC had advanced N stage and the 7th AJCC stage. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the N stage, M stage, the 7th AJCC stage, lymph-vascular invasion, LNR, and PLNC were significantly associated with prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that LNR rather than PLNC was an independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival. Subgroup analysis of node-positive patients showed that LNR was associated with CSS, while PLNC was not.

CONCLUSION

LNR was a better predictor for long-term prognosis than PLNC in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma.

Prospective Evaluation of Resection Margins Using Standardized Specimen Protocol Analysis among Patients with Distal Cholangiocarcinoma and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Using a standardized specimen protocol analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the resection margin status of patients who underwent resection for either distal cholangiocarcinoma (DC) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This allowed a precise millimetric analysis of each inked margin.

METHODS

From 2010 to 2018, 355 consecutively inked specimens from patients with PDAC (n = 288) or DC (n = 67) were prospectively assessed. We assessed relationships between the tumor and the following margins: transection of the pancreatic neck, bile duct, posterior surface, margin toward superior mesenteric artery, and the surface of superior mesenteric vein/portal vein groove. Resection margins were evaluated using a predefined cut-off value of 1 mm; however, clearances of 0 and 1.5 mm were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with DC were mostly men (64% vs. 49%, p = 0.028), of older age (68 yo vs. 65, p = 0.033), required biliary stenting more frequently (93% vs. 77%, p < 0.01), and received less neoadjuvant treatment (p < 0.001) than patients with PDAC. The venous resection rate was higher among patients with PDAC (p = 0.028). Postoperative and 90-day mortality rates were comparable. Patients with PDAC had greater tumor size (28.6 vs. 24 mm, p = 0.01) than those with DC. The R1 resection rate was comparable between the two groups, regardless of the clearance margin. Among the three types of resection margins, a venous groove was the most frequent in both entities. In multivariate analysis, the R1 resection margin did not influence patient survival in either PDAC or DC.

CONCLUSION

Our standardized specimen protocol analysis showed that the R1 resection rate was comparable in PDAC and DC.

Re-appraising the role of lymph node status in predicting survival in resected distal cholangiocarcinoma - A meta-analysis and systematic review

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to confirm the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR), and determine an optimal LNR cut-off for overall survival (OS) in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) undergoing curative surgery. We additionally aimed to provide a consolidated review of current evidence regarding prognostic significance of positive lymph node count (PLNC) and total lymph node count (TLNC). A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to October 2020. Studies were included into meta-analysis if there was histological diagnosis, curative surgery, restriction to DCC and relevant LNR results. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Findings for 1228 patients were pooled across 6 studies. Meta-analysis delineated a dose-effect gradient in which higher LNR cut-offs correlated with larger pooled hazard ratios: 0<LNR<0.2 (HR 1.54; 95% CI 1.08-2.20; p = 0.02), LNR>0.2 (HR 3.26; 95% CI 2.07-5.13; p < 0.00001) and LNR>0.4 (HR 3.59; 95% CI 2.31-5.58; p < 0.00001) when compared against a control group of LNR = 0. LNR of 0.2 (HR 2.12; 95% CI: 1.57-2.86; p < 0.0001) was found to be a significant and ideal cut-off for prognostication of poorer OS. A review of current literature reveals an ongoing debate regarding the comparative prognostic value of differing PLNC cut-offs (0/1/3 versus 0/1/4). TLNC of 10-13 is widely reported to be the minimum necessary to ensure improved long term outcomes. PLNC and LNR are strong prognostic factors for OS in DCC. An ideal LNR cut-off of 0.2 is most significantly associated with poorer OS.

Evaluation and Recommendation of the 8th Edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in 820 Patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database

BACKGROUND

The AJCC made four changes to T category in the 8th AJCC stage for ICC, but this is a topic of debate.

METHODS

Data from 820 patients with ICC were extracted from the SEER database. Survival analysis of the 8th AJCC stage was examined.

RESULTS

To verify the four T staging changes by survival analysis: prognosis of patients with tumor size > 5 cm was poorer than that with tumor size ≤ 5 cm (P < 0.05); in N0M0 cohort, there was no significant difference in survival between solitary tumor with vascular invasion and multiple tumors (P = 0.092), tumor perforating the visceral peritoneum with and without involving local extrahepatic structures by direct invasion (P = 0.470), and tumor with and without periductal invasion (PI) (P = 0.220). The prognosis of patients with ≥ 4 positive lymph nodes was relatively poor compared with 1-3 positive lymph nodes (P = 0.037) and similar to patients with stage IV (8th AJCC, P = 0.585).

CONCLUSION

This study found that there was no significant difference in survival between tumor perforating the visceral peritoneum with and without involving local extrahepatic structures by direct invasion, whereas other T staging changes were effective. The inclusion of the number of positive lymph nodes in the 8th AJCC stage may improve prognostic discrimination in ICC patients.

Pulmonary metastasis of distal cholangiocarcinoma with multiple cavities in bilateral lungs: A case report

Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of malignant tumor derived from the epithelium of the bile duct. Cases of cholangiocarcinoma metastasis to the lung are rare, especially those with imaging features of multiple cavities in bilateral lungs. Here, we report a case of a patient who had previously undergone radical resection of primary distal cholangiocarcinoma 18 months ago. Transbronchoscopic lung biopsy of the right lung and biopsy of the left supraclavicular lymph node were performed for pathology confirmation, as well as immunohistochemistry. Multiple cavity shadows in bilateral lungs and enlarged lymph nodes were found on the computed tomography (CT) scan obtained 18 months postoperatively. No obviously enlarged lymph nodes were observed under the carina and beside the aortic arch, whereas enlarged lymph nodes were found above the left clavicle. Biopsy of lung and supraclavicular lymph nodes confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed that it originated from the digestive tract and had the same homology as cholangiocarcinoma (CK19 +, Villin +). Cholangiocarcinoma can be transferred to the lung and the left supraclavicular lymph nodes through the lymphatic pathway by characteristic jumping lymph node metastases. Diffuse cystic change is a specific CT manifestation of the lymphatic lung metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Proposal of the optimal numbers of examined and positive lymph nodes to the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging for 758 patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma

Introduction

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) recommended retrieval of at least 12 lymph nodes and firstly classified N category by the number of positive lymph nodes (PLNs) for Distal Cholangiocarcinoma (DCC).

Objective

The end of this cohort study was to explore the optimal cut-off values of the number of examined lymph nodes (ELNs) and PLNs to better stratify patients by utilizing a population-based database.

Methods

A number of 758 patients with DCC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were enrolled in the study and comparing by the survival analysis.

Results

Survival analysis found that patients with ELNs < 5 had a lower 3-year disease-specific survival rate than ELNs ≥ 5 in N0M0 cohort (35.3% vs. 53.0%, P = 0.001) and in M0 cohort (42.7% vs. 32.8%, P = 0.006); survival curves between patients with ELNs < 12 and ELNs ≥ 12 were overlapped in N0M0 cohort (P = 0.256) and in M0 cohort (P = 0.233). Among patients with ELNs ≥ 5, using the optimal cut-off value of the number of PLNs (0, 2) could accurately stratify patients, but the recommendation of the number of PLNs (0, 3) by the AJCC could not.

Conclusions

This study recommended examining at least 5 lymph nodes and defining PLNs = 1–2 as the N1 category and PLNs ≥ 3 as the N2 category, which may better stratify distal cholangiocarcinoma patients and improve the accuracy of the eighth edition AJCC staging.

Proposed Modification of Staging for Distal Cholangiocarcinoma Based on the Lymph Node Ratio Using Korean Multicenter Database

The 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) included a positive lymph node count (PLNC), but a comparison of the prognostic predictive power of PLNC and lymph node ratio (LNR) is still under debate. This study aimed to compare various staging models made by combining the abovementioned factors, identify the model with the best predictive power, and propose a modified staging system. We retrospectively reviewed 251 patients who underwent surgery for DCC at four centers. To determine the superiority of various staging models for predicting overall OSR, Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), AIC correction (AICc), and Harrell’s C-statistic were calculated. In multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.003), total lymph node count (p = 0.033), and revised T(LNR)M staging (p < 0.001) were identified as independent factors for overall survival rate. The predictive performance of revised T (LNR) M staging (AIC: 1288.925, BIC: 1303.377, AICc: 1291.52, and Harrell’s C statics: 0.667) was superior to other staging system. A modified staging system consisting of revised T category and LNR predicted better overall survival of DCC than AJCC 7th and AJCC 8th editions. In the future, external validation of the proposed new system using a larger cohort will be required.