Peripyloric lymph node metastasis is a rare condition in carcinoma of the pancreatic head

The lymphatic system and pancreatic cancer

This review summarizes current knowledge of the biology, pathology and clinical understanding of lymphatic invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. We discuss the clinical and biological consequences of lymphatic invasion and metastasis, including paraneoplastic effects on immune responses and consider the possible benefit of therapies to treat tumors that are localized to lymphatics. A review of current techniques and methods to study interactions between tumors and lymphatics is presented.

Pylorus-preserving versus pylorus-resecting pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary and pancreatic carcinoma: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the long-term survival, mortality, morbidity and the operation-related events in patients with periampullary and pancreatic carcinoma undergoing pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) and pylorus-resecting pancreaticoduodenectomy (PRPD).

METHOD

A systematic search of literature databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science) was performed to identify studies. Outcome measures comparing PPPD versus PRPD for periampullary and pancreatic carcinoma were long-term survival, mortality, morbidity (overall morbidity, delayed gastric emptying [DGE], pancreatic fistula, wound infection, postoperative bleeding, biliary leakage, ascites and gastroenterostomy leakage) and operation related events (hospital stays, operating time, intraoperative blood loss and red blood cell transfusions).

RESULTS

Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 622 patients were identified and included in the analysis. Among these patients, it revealed no difference in long-term survival between the PPPD and PRPD groups (HR = 0.23, p = 0.11). There was a lower rate of DGE (RR = 2.35, p = 0.04, 95% CI, 1.06-5.21) with PRPD. Mortality, overall morbidity, pancreatic fistula, wound infection, postoperative bleeding, biliary leakage, ascites and gastroenterostomy leakage were not significantly different between the groups. PPPDs were performed more quickly than PRPDs (WMD = 53.25 minutes, p = 0.01, 95% CI, 12.53-93.97); and there was less estimated intraoperative blood loss (WMD = 365.21 ml, p = 0.006, 95% CI, 102.71-627.71) and fewer red blood cell transfusions (WMD = 0.29 U, p = 0.003, 95% CI, 0.10-0.48) in patients undergoing PPPD. The hospital stays showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

PPPD had advantages over PRPD in operating time, intraoperative blood loss and red blood cell transfusions, but had a significantly higher rate of DGE for periampullary and pancreatic carcinoma. PPPD and PRPD had comparable mortality and morbidity including pancreatic fistulas, wound infections, postoperative bleeding, biliary leakage, ascites and gastroenterostomy leakage. Our conclusions were limited by the available data. Further evaluations of high-quality RCTs are needed.

Intraoperative Schnellschnittuntersuchungen parapylorischer Lymphknoten bei der pyloruserhaltenden Pankreaskopfresektion: Gibt es eine klinische Relevanz?

Hintergrund

Die pyloruserhaltende Pankreaskopfresektion (PPPD) ist als onkologisches Standardverfahren etabliert. Lokal fortgeschrittene Tumoren können eine erweiterte Resektion erforderlich machen. Ebenso soll früheren Arbeiten zufolge bei Tumornachweis in den parapylorischen Lymphknoten (PLK) eine distale Magenresektion im Sinne einer klassischen Whipple-Operation indiziert sein. Entsprechend diesen Empfehlungen haben wir intraoperative Schnellschnittuntersuchungen der PLK in unseren Routineablauf integriert. Im Rahmen dieser Studie haben wir die klinische Relevanz dieses Vorgehens hinterfragt.

Methoden

Bei 105 onkologischen Patienten im Zeitraum von 2006-2012 bestand die Indikation zur PPPD. In allen Fällen erfolgte eine intraoperative Schnellschnittuntersuchung der PLK. Die Patienten wurden bezüglich Primärtumor, Anzahl der untersuchten Lymphknoten (LK) (gesamt und parapylorisch) sowie Auswirkungen auf das operative Konzept untersucht. Es handelt sich um eine retrospektive Studie, die auf prospektiv erhobenen Daten unserer Pankreasdatenbank basiert.

Ergebnisse

Die Primärtumoren waren 72 Pankreaskopfkarzinome und 33 extrapankreatische Karzinome (Gallengangskarzinom, Ampullenkarzinom, Duodenalkarzinom). 73 Patienten waren nodalpositiv. Insgesamt wurden 2391 LK untersucht, von denen 325 parapylorisch lokalisiert waren. Die intraoperative Schnellschnittuntersuchung erbrachte lediglich bei 4 Patienten mit Pankreaskopfkarzinom jeweils einen positiven PLK; daraufhin erfolgte eine distale Magenresektion. In keinem der distalen Magenresektate waren Tumorresiduen nachweisbar. Lokale chirurgisch-technische Probleme im Sinne von Durchblutungsstörungen des Magens ergaben sich durch die regionale Lymphadenektomie nicht. PLK waren nur beim Pankreaskarzinom positiv. In der Subgruppe der nodalpositiven Patienten mit Pankreaskopfkarzinom hatten 8% der Patienten einen positiven PLK.

Schlussfolgerung

Die regionale parapylorische Lymphadenektomie ist beim Pankreaskarzinom in einigen (5%) Fällen onkologisch sinnvoll. Der Nutzen einer intraoperativen Schnellschnittuntersuchung mit nachfolgender Konsequenz für eine etwaige distale Magenresektion ist anhand unserer Daten nicht belegbar.

Proposal for splenectomy-omitting radical distal pancreatectomy in well-selected left-sided pancreatic cancer: multicenter survey study

BACKGROUND

When distal pancreatectomy is carried out for left-sided pancreatic cancer, splenectomy is usually performed not only for margin-negative resection but also for effective clearance of the splenic hilar lymph nodes (LNs). However, the incidence of splenic hilar LN metastasis in these patients has not been definitively determined.

METHODS

From April 2010 to June 2011, in a pilot study, we analyzed the medical records of twelve patients who had undergone radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy. Potential remnant soft tissue around the splenic hilum, which would be left following an extended Warshaw's procedure, was dissected and sent to a pathologist. Three Japanese medical centers conducted a retrospective survey of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis in left-sided pancreatic cancer to support our study.

RESULTS

In the pilot study, all twelve patients had adenocarcinoma with a median tumor size of 2 cm. Six patients had LN metastasis and a median number of 4 splenic hilar LNs were evaluated; however, no splenic hilar LN metastasis was noted. In the Japanese multicenter survey (n = 85), only four patients had splenic LN metastasis. Small (<3 cm) and proximal (neck/body) left-sided pancreatic cancer might not be associated with splenic hilar LN metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In well-selected left-sided pancreatic cancer, the incidence of splenic hilar LN metastasis is low enough that splenectomy-omitting radical distal pancreatectomy would be feasible. The rationale for routine splenectomy should be re-evaluated, and the oncologic effects of the preserved spleen need to be investigated further.

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy after transhiatal esophagectomy sparing the right gastroepiploic vessels and gastric tube

INTRODUCTION

Pancreaticoduodenectomy after transhiatal esophagectomy is a technically demanding procedure in sense of preserving the blood supply to the gastric tube.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer, 13 years after a transhiatal esophagectomy, sparing the gastric tube and the right gastroepiploic artery and vein.

DISCUSSION

This type of operation is less time-consuming and less invasive, since no further reconstruction of the alimentary tract or the vascular system is applied.

Proposing the lymphatic target volume for elective radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer: a pooled analysis of clinical evidence

Background

Radiation therapy is an important cancer treatment modality in both adjuvant and definitive setting, however, the use of radiation therapy for elective treatment of regional lymph nodes is controversial for pancreatic cancer. No consensus on proper selection and delineation of subclinical lymph nodal areas in adjuvant or definitive radiation therapy has been suggested either conclusively or proposed for further investigation. This analysis aims to study the pattern of lymph node metastasis through a pooled analysis of published results after radical tumor and lymph nodal resection with histological study in pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Literature search using electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CANCERLIT from January 1970 to June 2009 was performed, supplemented by review of references. Eighteen original researches and a total of 5954 pancreatic cancer patients underwent radical surgical resection were included in this analysis. The probability of metastasis in regional lymph nodal stations (using Japan Pancreas Society [JPS] Classification) was calculated and analyzed based on the location and other characteristics of the primary disease.

Results

Commonly involved nodal regions in patients with pancreatic head tumor include lymph nodes around the common hepatic artery (Group 8, 9.79%), posterior pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes (Group 13, 32.31%), lymph nodes around the superior mesenteric artery (Group 14, 15.85%), paraaortic lymph nodes (Group 16, 10.92%), and anterior pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes (Group 17, 19.78%); The probability of metastasis in other lymph nodal regions were <9%.

Commonly involved nodal regions in patients with pancreatic body/tail tumor include lymph nodes around the common hepatic artery (Group 8, 15.07%), lymph nodes around the celiac trunk (Group 9, 9.59%), lymph nodes along the splenic artery (Group 11, 35.62%), lymph nodes around the superior mesenteric artery (Group 14, 9.59%), paraaortic lymph nodes (Group 16, 16.44%), and inferior body lymph nodes (Group 18, 24.66%). The probability of metastasis in other lymph nodal regions were <9%.

Conclusions

Pancreatic cancer has a high propensity of regional lymphatic metastases; however, clear patterns including the site and probability of metastasis can be identified and used as a guide of treatment in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Further clinical investigation is needed to study the efficacy of elective treatment to CTV defined based on these patterns using high-dose conformal or intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Prospective nonrandomized comparison between pylorus-preserving and subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy from the perspectives of DGE occurrence and postoperative digestive functions

BACKGROUND

To determine the influence of pylorus preservation after pancreaticoduodenectomy, we compared the postoperative course of subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (SSPPD) and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD).

METHODS

A prospective, nonrandomized comparison of 77 consecutive patients undergoing PPPD (n = 37) or SSPPD (n = 40) between January 2003 and March 2007 was planned. The early postoperative course, dietary intake, and the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) were evaluated.

RESULTS

SSPPD included significantly more cases of regional lymph node dissection (D2, PPPD 53% vs. SSPPD 80%) and portal vein resection. The median duration of surgery (457 vs. 520 min) was significantly shorter, and blood loss (619 vs. 1,235 ml) was significantly less in PPPD. Regarding postoperative clinical factors, the duration of nasogastric tube intubation (1 vs.1 day), days until solid diet (7 vs. 7 days), and the incidence of DGE (9% vs.10%) were similar in PPPD and SSPPD. However, the postoperative/preoperative body weight ratio (95% vs. 93%) was significantly higher, and the postoperative hospital stay (31 vs. 38 days) was significantly shorter in PPPD (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the bias of the operative factors, the incidence of DGE and postoperative dietary intake after SSPPD was comparable with PPPD, and therefore, pylorus preservation seemed to have no impact on postoperative dietary intake or DGE.