Early evaluation of abdominal/hepatic irradiation and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin infusion after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Adjuvant treatment

Exocrine pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the western world, accounting for 5% of all cancer-related deaths. Only a small percentage of patients with pancreatic cancer are able to undergo potentially curative resection, even in specialized centres, and prognosis remains poor after successful surgery. Over the last few years efforts have been directed towards the development of adjuvant therapies in attempts to improve outcome. The main trials of adjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy with follow-on chemotherapy are described in this paper, followed by the results of the ESPAC-1 trial and the status of ESPAC-2 and -3 trials.

Prophylactic hepatic irradiation following curative resection of pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

It is unlikely that adjuvant chemoradiotherapy applied to the pancreatic bed alone significantly improves the survival of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine whether prophylactic hepatic irradiation (PHI) improved patient outcome after the curative resection of pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

The study population was comprised of 34 patients (PHI group) who were administered PHI after curative resection of pancreatic cancer between September 1994 and December 2003. The whole liver was irradiated with a total dose of 19.8-22.0 Gy under continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil. The cumulative rate of liver metastasis and the survival outcomes of the PHI group were compared with those of 31 patients without PHI (non-PHI group) who underwent curative resection of pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

The planned PHI was completed for 32 of the 34 patients. Two patients developed complications that might have been PHI-related. One developed liver abscesses which were successfully managed by percutaneous drainage. The other died of liver failure without recurrence 11 months after the operation. The cumulative incidence of liver metastasis was significantly lower for the PHI group than the non-PHI group (P=0.0455). Patients in the PHI group also survived significantly longer compared to those in the non-PHI group (P=0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that PHI is well tolerated and is a potentially effective treatment strategy after curative resection of pancreatic cancer, thereby providing the basis for a randomized controlled trial.

Clinical experience with chronomodulated infusional 5-fluorouracil chemoradiotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate retrospectively the efficacy and chronic toxicities of concurrent radiotherapy and chronomodulated infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-eight patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated between January 1997 and May 2000 with 5-FU chronomodulated chemoradiotherapy. Chronomodulated delivery of chemotherapy was chosen on the basis of a lower toxicity profile in the treatment of GI malignancies. The median age was 64 years. Of the 28 patients, 12 were men and 16 were women. Eight patients had unresectable disease and 20 were treated after pancreatic resection. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy given in 28 fractions. The median field length and width was 10.6 cm and 10.9 cm, respectively. Concurrent chemotherapy with 5-FU was administered 5 d/wk, with a median total dose of 8.4 g/m2 (300 mg/m2/d). Chronomodulated 5-FU delivery consisted of a low basal infusion for 16 h followed by an 8-h escalating-deescalating infusion peaking at 10 pm. Survival and recurrence data were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis. Toxicities were recorded using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grading system.

RESULTS

The median follow-up for all patients was 26 months (range, 4-68 months). The median overall survival for the 20 patients treated postoperatively was 34 months, with a 3- and 5-year actuarial survival rate of 40% and 21%, respectively. If the 3 patients with carcinoma of the ampulla were removed from the data set, the mean overall survival in the resected patients was 34 months, with a 3-year and 5-year actuarial survival rate of 40% and 17%, respectively. The 8 unresectable patients had a median overall survival of 14 months, and none lived past 2 years. No patient experienced Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity or weight loss. Five patients had nausea and dehydration requiring i.v. fluids; only one (4%) was hospitalized. Four patients required a dose reduction of 5-FU, one for nausea, one for a transient ischemic attack, one for an infection, and one because of myocardial infarction. Seven resected patients, four of whom had no evidence of disease, developed diabetes mellitus 1-2 years after radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Chronomodulated 5-FU administration, based on the concept of chronotolerance, has relatively low acute toxicity. Our median survival rate was greater than that after most chemoradiotherapy programs that result in more acute toxicity. Additional study is warranted to evaluate chronomodulated radiosensitizing chemotherapy schedules in prospective trials and with attention to late effects after radiotherapy, including diabetes mellitus.

Combined modality adjuvant therapy for resected periampullary pancreatic and nonpancreatic adenocarcinoma: a review of studies and experience at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1991-2003

In 1991 a multidisciplinary group consisting of surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, research nurses, and laboratory scientists was organized at the Johns Hopkins Hospital to accelerate progress in understanding the clinical and basic biology of pancreatic carcinoma and to develop research protocols aimed at improving clinical outcomes. This article discusses the studies, data, and conclusions generated to date, in some cases preliminarily, for the clinical trials and algorithms the Johns Hopkins team applied to the postoperative adjuvant management of periampullary pancreatic and nonpancreatic periampullary adenocarcinomas during the interval 1991 to 2003.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin after incomplete (R1) resection of locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma

PURPOSE

To analyze, in a prospective clinical trial, the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with incompletely (R1) resected pancreatic cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 2000 and 2002, a total of 30 pancreatic cancer patients were treated. Radiotherapy was performed in 15 patients up to a total dose of 45.0 Gy. An additional 15 patients received a total dose of 50.0 Gy according to the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) Report 50 reference point (equivalent to 45.0 Gy at the isodose, including 90% covering the former tumor area and local lymph nodes). Concurrent with radiotherapy, four applications of gemcitabine (300 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (30 mg/m(2)) were administered. After chemoradiotherapy, patients received four additional courses of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (50 mg/m(2)) on Days 1 and 15 in a 4-week cycle.

RESULTS

The median progression-free survival was 10.6 months, and the median overall survival was 22.8 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rate was 81%, 43%, and 26%, respectively. After completion of chemoradiotherapy, distant metastasis was observed in 14 patients during a median follow-up of 15.0 months (range, 4.6-30.0). One patient developed both local recurrence and distant metastases. Hematologic toxicities were the most prominent side effects (leukopenia Grade 3 and 4 in 53% and 7% and thrombocytopenia Grade 3 and 4 in 33% and 7% of patients, respectively). Grade 3 and 4 GI toxicity was not observed.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin after incomplete (R1) resection of pancreatic carcinoma is safe and feasible. A prolonged progression-free survival suggests high local efficacy, translating into a benefit of overall survival. On the basis of the favorable outcome of patients receiving gemcitabine/cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy, testing this combined treatment strategy appears warranted in a comparative trial.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy in resectable pancreatic cancer: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The role of adjuvant treatment in pancreatic cancer remains uncertain. The European Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer (ESPAC) assessed the roles of chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy in a randomised study.

METHODS

After resection, patients were randomly assigned to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (20 Gy in ten daily fractions over 2 weeks with 500 mg/m(2) fluorouracil intravenously on days 1-3, repeated after 2 weeks) or chemotherapy (intravenous fluorouracil 425 mg/m(2) and folinic acid 20 mg/m(2) daily for 5 days, monthly for 6 months). Clinicians could randomise patients into a two-by-two factorial design (observation, chemoradiotherapy alone, chemotherapy alone, or both) or into one of the main treatment comparisons (chemoradiotherapy versus no chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy versus no chemotherapy). The primary endpoint was death, and all analyses were by intention to treat. Findings 541 eligible patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were randomised: 285 in the two-by-two factorial design (70 chemoradiotherapy, 74 chemotherapy, 72 both, 69 observation); a further 68 patients were randomly assigned chemoradiotherapy or no chemoradiotherapy and 188 chemotherapy or no chemotherapy. Median follow-up of the 227 (42%) patients still alive was 10 months (range 0-62). Overall results showed no benefit for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (median survival 15.5 months in 175 patients with chemoradiotherapy vs 16.1 months in 178 patients without; hazard ratio 1.18 [95% CI 0.90-1.55], p=0.24). There was evidence of a survival benefit for adjuvant chemotherapy (median survival 19.7 months in 238 patients with chemotherapy vs 14.0 months in 235 patients without; hazard ratio 0.66 [0.52-0.83], p=0.0005). Interpretation This study showed no survival benefit for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy but revealed a potential benefit for adjuvant chemotherapy, justifying further randomised controlled trials of adjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

Adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer: current treatment approaches and future challenges

The past several decades have witnessed advances in the management of pancreatic cancer; however, much remains to be accomplished. Emerging techniques in the fields of surgery, RT, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy offer hope for greater locoregional control, survival, and quality of life for these patients.

A pilot study of chronomodulated infusional 5-fluorouracil chemoradiation for pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Dose limiting acute toxicity from chemoradiation for pancreatic cancer occurs in 15% -20% of patients treated with post-operative adjuvant therapy. Reported here is a pilot study using chronomodulated infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemoradiation (CIC) for pancreatic cancer, a treatment designed to reduce normal tissue toxicity and maintain efficacy, with specific evaluation of acute and late morbidity, patterns of disease progression, and survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with 5-FU CIC between January 1997 and September 1999. The median age was 64, and there were 9 males and 14 females. Six patients were considered unresectable and seventeen others were treated post-operatively. The median external beam irradiation dose was 50.4 Gy. 5-FU infusion was given five days per week (300 mg/m2/d) and the median total dose was 8.4 g/m2. The chronomodulated 5-FU infusion consists of a low basal infusion rate for 16 hours followed by an eight-hour escalating-deescalating infusion peaking at 10 p.m. All patients were followed from the time of initial diagnosis until last follow-up or death; the median follow-up was 16 months.

RESULTS

No RTOG grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity occurred. Twelve of seventeen patients treated postoperatively have been controlled locally, and seven patients have no evidence of disease. The median survival is 28 months and one-year actuarial survival is 88% in the group of resected patients. The 6 patients treated for unresectable disease have a median survival of 13 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute toxicity of 5-FU CIC appears to be less frequent and less severe than that reported with flat infusional or bolus 5-FU based chemoradiation used for adjuvant post-operative therapy for pancreatic cancer. This method may warrant further examination, as it may be attractive for the elderly or those who cannot tolerate the toxicity associated with standard post-operative treatment protocols.

Intensified adjuvant combined modality therapy for resected periampullary adenocarcinoma: acceptable toxicity and suggestion of improved 1-year disease-free survival

PURPOSE

(1) To determine the toxicity of an intensified postoperative adjuvant regimen for periampullary adenocarcinoma (pancreatic and nonpancreatic) utilizing concurrent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin (LV), dipyridamole (DPM), and mitomycin-C (MMC) combined with split-course locoregional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to 50 Gy. This was followed by 4 cycles of the same chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy. (2) To determine preliminary estimates of the overall and disease-free survival associated with the use of this regimen. (3) To compare the toxicities and early survival results of patients treated with the current regimen to those of patients who completed our prior trial of concurrent chemoradiation infusion with 5-FU/LV chemotherapy and regional nodal and prophylactic hepatic irradiation.

METHODS

Postpancreaticoduodenectomy, patients received every 4 weeks bolus administration of 5-FU, (400 mg/m(2)), and LV, (20 mg/m(2), Days l-3), DPM (75 mg p.o., 4 times per day, Days 0-3, and every 8 weeks), MMC, (10 mg/m(2); maximum of 20 mg, Day l during EBRT). This was followed by 4 months of the same chemotherapy, beginning 1 month following the completion of EBRT. EBRT consisted of split-course 5000 cGy/20 fractions with a 2-week planned rest after the first 10 fractions (2500 cGy).

RESULTS

From 4/96 to 6/99, 45 patients were enrolled and treated. Their experience constitutes the basis of this analysis. There were 29 patients with pancreatic cancer and 16 with nonpancreatic periampullary cancer. Seventeen patients had tumors of 3 cm or more, and 39 patients had at least 1 histologically involved lymph node. Thirteen patients had a histologically positive margin of resection. The mean time to start of treatment was 63 days following surgery. During chemoradiation therapy there were no Grade 3 or worse nonhematologic toxicities and 47% Grade 3 or Grade 4 hematologic toxicities of short duration. Following chemoradiation, during chemotherapy treatment only, there was one Grade 3 hepatic and one Grade 3 pulmonary toxicity which was nondebilitating (2% each case) and 42% Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity. There were 2 episodes of neutropenic fever requiring admission and no treatment-related mortalities. One patient developed a mild case of HUS, which responded to standard management. One patient developed persistent shortness of breath (nondebilitating), and another patient had occasional dyspnea on exertion, both occurring after all therapy. The majority of patients complained of increased fatigue (Grade 1-2), greatest during the combined therapy and improving post all treatment. As of 6/23/99, 20 of 45 patients have relapsed, 13 in the liver. Twelve patients have died. Median follow-up for surviving patients is 14.3 months. Disease-free survival at 12 months following surgery is 66% (as compared to 25% in our prior study), and the median disease-free survival is 17 months (as compared to 8. 3 months in our prior study). Median survival has not yet been reached, but will be greater than 17 months.

CONCLUSION

With a 14.3-month median follow-up, acute toxicity has been acceptable and manageable. Observed relapses were seen 9-13 months following surgical resection. Early survival analysis suggests a trend toward increased median disease-free survival (8.3 vs. 17 months), especially for patients with nonpancreatic periampullary adenocarcinoma.

Resected pancreatic cancer treated with adjuvant radiotherapy with or without 5-fluorouracil: treatment results and patterns of failure

There are relatively little data regarding patterns of recurrence after curative resection and postoperative radiotherapy with or without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for patients with adenocarcinonima of the pancreas. Between 1978 and 1997, 41 patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy (RT) at Loyola-Hines Department of Radiotherapy. Of the 38 evaluable patients, 30 had RT + 5-FU and 8 had RT alone. Twenty-nine patients (76.3%) had a Whipple's resection, seven (18.4%) had distal pancreatectomy, and two (5.2%) had total pancreatectomy. Thirty-three (86.8%) of the 38 patients received > or =4,500 cGy to the tumor bed. Median survival for all patients was 21 months. The median survivals for patients who received RT + 5-FU and RT alone were 26 months and 5.5 months (p = 0.004). The most common site of failure was the liver, as seen in 79.2% of all recurrences. The peritoneum, other distant sites (lungs, bone, distant lymph nodes), and locoregional tumor bed were components of failure in 33.3%, 29.2%, and 25.0%, respectively. Locoregional failure alone was found in only one patient. Our median survival with postoperative RT + 5-FU is consistent with results reported by the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group and Mayo Clinic. Although patients who had RT + 5-FU had a better median survival than those who received RT alone, our RT-alone group had an inferior survival outcome compared to other published reports and may represent patient selection bias. Efforts in controlling this disease should be directed to prevention of intraabdominal relapse.

Intensified adjuvant therapy for pancreatic and periampullary adenocarcinoma: survival results and observations regarding patterns of failure, radiotherapy dose and CA19-9 levels

PURPOSE

Primary endpoints were 1. To determine if, in the context of postoperative adjuvant therapy of pancreatic and nonpancreatic periampullary adenocarcinoma, continuous infusion (C.I.) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (Lv), combined with continuous-course external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to liver (23.4-27.0 Gy), regional lymph nodes (50.4-54.0 Gy) and tumor bed (50.4-57.6 Gy), followed by 4 months of C.I. 5-FU/Lv without EBRT could be given with acceptable toxicity. 2. To determine an estimate of disease-free and overall survival (DFS, OS) with this treatment in this context. Secondary endpoints were 1. To observe the effects of therapy at two different dose levels of irradiation, and 2. To observe for correlations among DFS, OS and CA 19-9 levels during therapy.

METHODS

Patients received C.I. 5-FU 200 mg/m2 and Lv 5 mg/m2 Monday through Friday during EBRT, and 4 cycles of the same chemotherapy without EBRT were planned for each 2 weeks of 4, beginning 1 month following the completion of EBRT. Therapy was to begin within 10 weeks of surgery and patients were monitored for disease recurrence, toxicity, and CA 19-9 levels before the start of EBRT/5-FU/Lv, before each cycle of C.I. 5-FU/Lv, and periodically after the completion of therapy. There were two EBRT dosage groups: Low EBRT, 23.4 Gy to the whole liver, 50.4 Gy to regional nodes and 50.4 Gy to the tumor bed; High EBRT, 27.0 Gy to the whole liver, 54.0 Gy to regional nodes, and 57.6 Gy to the tumor bed.

RESULTS

29 patients were enrolled and treated (23 with pancreatic cancer, and 6 with nonpancreatic periampullary cancer). Of these, 18 had tumor sizes > or = 3 cm and 23 had at least one histologically involved lymph node; 6 had histologically positive resection margins. Mean time to start of EBRT/5-FU/Lv was 53 +/- 2 days following surgery. The first 18 patients were in the Low EBRT Group and the last 11 in the High EBRT Group. Toxicity was moderate and manageable, including a possible case of late radiation hepatitis. Median DFS was 8.3 months (pancreatic cancer patients 8.5 months) and OS was 14.1 months (pancreatic cancer patients 15.9 months). Among patients with pancreatic cancer, results were similar for the Low and High EBRT Groups (DFS: 8.3 vs. 8.6 months; OS: 14.4 vs. 16.9 months, respectively). With a mean follow up of 2.6 +/- 0.3 years for the surviving patients and a minimal follow-up of 2.5 years, 27 of 29 pts have relapsed and 25 pts have died. A rise in CA 19-9 levels preceded clinical relapse by 9.1 +/- 1.5 months. Time to first relapse by site showed inverse correlation with dose of radiotherapy to that site: peritoneal (5 +/- 1 month), hepatic (7 +/- 0.9 months), regional nodes/tumor bed (9.6 +/- 1.8 months). Mean postresection CA 19-9 level was 63.3 +/- 16.2 U/ml. Postresection CA 19-9 values did not correlate with survival, margin status, or with the identification of metastatic carcinoma in resected lymph nodes. However, among patients with histologically involved nodes in the resected specimen, postresection CA 19-9 values did correlate with the number of positive nodes identified (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although toxicity was acceptable, survival results were not improved over those seen with standard adjuvant treatment. Most patients relapsed before the planned chemotherapy cycles were completed, or within 100 days thereof, suggesting disease resistance to C.I. 5-FU/Lv as used in this study. Although this regimen is not recommended for further study, the doses of EBRT utilized may be suitable for evaluation with other chemotherapy combinations. Postoperative CA 19-9 levels did not correlate with survival, but did correlate with the number of histologically involved lymph nodes found in the resected specimen among node-positive patients. Moreover, rising CA 19-9 levels anticipated ultimate clinical failure by 9 months.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for periampullary adenocarcinoma: comparison of morbidity and mortality and short-term outcome

OBJECTIVE

This prospective, randomized, single-institution trial was designed to evaluate the end points of mortality, morbidity, and survival in patients undergoing standard versus radical (extended) pancreaticoduodenectomy (including distal gastrectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Numerous retrospective reports and one prospective randomized trial have suggested that the performance of an extended lymphadenectomy in association with a pancreaticoduodenal resection may improve long-term survival for some patients with pancreatic and other periampullary adenocarcinomas. Many of these previously published studies can be criticized for their retrospective and nonrandomized designs, for the inclusion of nonconcurrent control groups, and for their small numbers.

METHODS

Between April 1996 and December 1997, 114 patients with periampullary adenocarcinoma were enrolled in an ongoing, prospective, randomized trial at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. After intraoperative verification of completely resected periampullary adenocarcinoma, the patients were randomized to receive either a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy (removing only the peripancreatic lymph nodes en bloc with the specimen) or a radical pancreaticoduodenectomy (standard resection plus distal gastrectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy). All pathology specimens were reviewed and categorized. The postoperative morbidity, mortality, and short-term outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

Of the 114 patients randomized, 56 underwent a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy and 58 a radical pancreaticoduodenectomy. The two groups were statistically similar with regard to age and gender, but there was a higher percentage of white patients in the radical group. All the patients in the radical group underwent distal gastric resection, whereas 86% of the patients in the standard group underwent pylorus preservation. The mean operative time in the radical group was 6.8 hours, compared with 6.2 hours in the standard group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, location of primary tumor, mean tumor size, positive lymph node status, or positive margin status. There were three deaths in the standard group and two in the radical group. The complication rates were 34% for the standard group and 40% for the radical group. Patients undergoing radical resection had a higher incidence of early delayed gastric emptying but had similar rates of other complications, such as pancreatic fistula, wound infection, intraabdominal abscess, and need for reoperation. The mean total number of lymph nodes resected was higher in the radical group. Of the 58 patients in the radical group, only 10% had metastatic carcinoma in the resected retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and none of those patients had the retroperitoneal nodes as the only site of lymph node involvement. The 1-year actuarial survival rate for patients surviving the immediate postoperative periods was 77% for the standard resection group and 83% for the radical resection group.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that radical pancreaticoduodenectomy (with the addition of a distal gastrectomy and extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy to a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy) can be performed with similar morbidity and mortality to standard pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, the survival data are not sufficiently mature and the numbers of patients enrolled are not adequate to allow firm conclusions to be drawn regarding survival benefit.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for periampullary adenocarcinoma: comparison of morbidity and mortality and short-term outcome

OBJECTIVE

This prospective, randomized, single-institution trial was designed to evaluate the end points of mortality, morbidity, and survival in patients undergoing standard versus radical (extended) pancreaticoduodenectomy (including distal gastrectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Numerous retrospective reports and one prospective randomized trial have suggested that the performance of an extended lymphadenectomy in association with a pancreaticoduodenal resection may improve long-term survival for some patients with pancreatic and other periampullary adenocarcinomas. Many of these previously published studies can be criticized for their retrospective and nonrandomized designs, for the inclusion of nonconcurrent control groups, and for their small numbers.

METHODS

Between April 1996 and December 1997, 114 patients with periampullary adenocarcinoma were enrolled in an ongoing, prospective, randomized trial at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. After intraoperative verification of completely resected periampullary adenocarcinoma, the patients were randomized to receive either a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy (removing only the peripancreatic lymph nodes en bloc with the specimen) or a radical pancreaticoduodenectomy (standard resection plus distal gastrectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy). All pathology specimens were reviewed and categorized. The postoperative morbidity, mortality, and short-term outcomes were examined.

RESULTS

Of the 114 patients randomized, 56 underwent a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy and 58 a radical pancreaticoduodenectomy. The two groups were statistically similar with regard to age and gender, but there was a higher percentage of white patients in the radical group. All the patients in the radical group underwent distal gastric resection, whereas 86% of the patients in the standard group underwent pylorus preservation. The mean operative time in the radical group was 6.8 hours, compared with 6.2 hours in the standard group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, location of primary tumor, mean tumor size, positive lymph node status, or positive margin status. There were three deaths in the standard group and two in the radical group. The complication rates were 34% for the standard group and 40% for the radical group. Patients undergoing radical resection had a higher incidence of early delayed gastric emptying but had similar rates of other complications, such as pancreatic fistula, wound infection, intraabdominal abscess, and need for reoperation. The mean total number of lymph nodes resected was higher in the radical group. Of the 58 patients in the radical group, only 10% had metastatic carcinoma in the resected retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and none of those patients had the retroperitoneal nodes as the only site of lymph node involvement. The 1-year actuarial survival rate for patients surviving the immediate postoperative periods was 77% for the standard resection group and 83% for the radical resection group.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that radical pancreaticoduodenectomy (with the addition of a distal gastrectomy and extended retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy to a standard pancreaticoduodenectomy) can be performed with similar morbidity and mortality to standard pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, the survival data are not sufficiently mature and the numbers of patients enrolled are not adequate to allow firm conclusions to be drawn regarding survival benefit.

Six hundred fifty consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies in the 1990s: pathology, complications, and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The authors reviewed the pathology, complications, and outcomes in a consecutive group of 650 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy in the 1990s.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Pancreaticoduodenectomy has been used increasingly in recent years to resect a variety of malignant and benign diseases of the pancreas and periampullary region.

METHODS

Between January 1990 and July 1996, inclusive, 650 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenal resection at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Data were recorded prospectively on all patients. All pathology specimens were reviewed and categorized. Statistical analyses were performed using both univariate and multivariate models.

RESULTS

The patients had a mean age of 63 +/- 12.8 years, with 54% male and 91% white. The number of resections per year rose from 60 in 1990 to 161 in 1995. Pathologic examination results showed pancreatic cancer (n = 282; 43%), ampullary cancer (n = 70; 11%), distal common bile duct cancer (n = 65; 10%), duodenal cancer (n = 26; 4%), chronic pancreatitis (n = 71; 11%), neuroendocrine tumor (n = 31; 5%), periampullary adenoma (n = 21; 3%), cystadenocarcinoma (n = 14; 2%), cystadenoma (n = 25; 4%), and other (n = 45; 7%). The surgical procedure involved pylorus preservation in 82%, partial pancreatectomy in 95%, and portal or superior mesenteric venous resection in 4%. Pancreatic-enteric reconstruction, when appropriate, was via pancreaticojejunostomy in 71% and pancreaticogastrostomy in 29%. The median intraoperative blood loss was 625 mL, median units of red cells transfused was zero, and the median operative time was 7 hours. During this period, 190 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed without a mortality. Nine deaths occurred in-hospital or within 30 days of operation (1.4% operative mortality). The postoperative complication rate was 41%, with the most common complications being early delayed gastric emptying (19%), pancreatic fistula (14%), and wound infection (10%). Twenty-three patients required reoperation in the immediate postoperative period (3.5%), most commonly for bleeding, abscess, or dehiscence. The median postoperative length of stay was 13 days. A multivariate analysis of the 443 patients with periampullary adenocarcinoma indicated that the most powerful independent predictors favoring long-term survival included a pathologic diagnosis of duodenal adenocarcinoma, tumor diameter <3 cm, negative resection margins, absence of lymph node metastases, well-differentiated histology, and no reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

This single institution, high-volume experience indicates that pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely for a variety of malignant and benign disorders of the pancreas and periampullary region. Overall survival is determined largely by the pathology within the resection specimen.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation improves survival. A prospective, single-institution experience

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate prospectively survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, comparing two different postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation protocol to those of no adjuvant therapy.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Based on limited data from the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group, adjuvant chemoradiation therapy has been recommended after pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, or uncinate process of the pancrease. However, many patients continue to receive no such therapy.

METHODS

From October 1991 through September 1995, all patients with resected, pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, or uncinate process of the pancreas were reviewed by a multidisciplinary group (surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, and pathology) and were offered three options for postoperative treatment after pancreaticoduodenectomy: 1) standard therapy: external beam radiation therapy to the pancreatic bed (4000-4500 cGy) given with two 3-day fluorouracil (5-FU) courses and followed by weekly bolus 5-FU (500 mg/m2 per day) for 4 months; 2) intensive therapy: external beam radiation therapy to the pancreatic bed (5040-5760 cGy) with prophylactic hepatic irradiation (2340-2700 cGy) given with and followed by infusional 5-FU (200 mg/m2 per day) plus leucovorin (5 mg/m2 per day) for 5 of 7 days for 4 months; or 3) no therapy: no postoperative radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 174 patients, with 1 in-hospital death (0.6%). Ninety-nine patients elected standard therapy, 21 elected intensive therapy, and 53 patients declined therapy. The three groups were comparable with respect to race, gender, intraoperative blood loss, tumor differentiation, lymph node status, tumor diameter, and resection margin status. Univariate analyses indicated that tumor diameter < 3 cm, intraoperative blood loss < 700 mL, absence of intraoperative blood transfusions, and use of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy were associated with significantly longer survival (p < 0.05). By Cox proportional hazards survival analysis, the most powerful predictors of outcome were tumor diameter, intraoperative blood loss, status of resection margins, and use of postoperative adjuvant therapy. The use of postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation therapy was a predictor of improved survival (median survival, 19.5 months compared to 13.5 months without therapy; p = 0.003). The intensive therapy group had no survival advantage when compared to that of the standard therapy group (median survival, 17.5 months vs. 21 months, p = not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy significantly improves survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, or uncinate process of the pancreas. Based on these survival data, standard adjuvant chemoradiation therapy appears to be indicated for patients treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, or uncinate process of the pancreas. Intensive therapy conferred no survival advantage over standard therapy in this analysis.