Impact of centralization of pancreatic cancer surgery on resection rates and survival

Effect of sarcopenia and visceral obesity on mortality and pancreatic fistula following pancreatic cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Analytical morphometric assessment has recently been proposed to improve preoperative risk stratification. However, the relationship between body composition and outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy is still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of body composition on outcomes in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer.

METHODS

Body composition parameters including total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and visceral fat area (VFA) were assessed by preoperative staging CT in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer. Perioperative variables and postoperative outcomes (mortality or postoperative pancreatic fistula) were collected prospectively in the institutional pancreatic surgery database. Optimal stratification was used to determine the best cut-off values for anthropometric measures. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of 60-day mortality and pancreatic fistula.

RESULTS

Of 202 included patients, 132 (65·3 per cent) were classified as sarcopenic. There were 12 postoperative deaths (5·9 per cent), major complications developed in 40 patients (19·8 per cent) and pancreatic fistula in 48 (23·8 per cent). In multivariable analysis, a VFA/TAMA ratio exceeding 3·2 and American Society of Anesthesiologists grade III were the strongest predictors of mortality (odds ratio (OR) 6·76 and 6·10 respectively; both P < 0·001). Among patients who developed major complications, survivors had a significantly lower VFA/TAMA ratio than non-survivors (P = 0·017). VFA was an independent predictor of pancreatic fistula (optimal cut-off 167 cm(2) : OR 4·05; P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia is common among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. The combination of visceral obesity and sarcopenia was the best predictor of postoperative death, whereas VFA was an independent predictor of pancreatic fistula.

Meta-analysis of benefits of portal-superior mesenteric vein resection in pancreatic resection for ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a poor prognosis without surgery. No standard treatment has yet been accepted for patients with portal-superior mesenteric vein (PV-SMV) infiltration. The present meta-analysis aimed to compare the results of pancreatic resection with PV-SMV resection for suspected infiltration with the results of surgery without PV-SMV resection.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library in accordance with PRISMA guidelines from the time of inception to 2013. The inclusion criteria were comparative studies including patients who underwent pancreatic resection with or without PV-SMV resection. One, 3- and 5-year survival were the primary outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies were identified involving a total of 9005 patients (1587 in PV-SMV resection group). Patients undergoing PV-SMV resection had an increased risk of postoperative mortality (risk difference (RD) 0.01, 95 per cent c.i. 0.00 to 0.03; P = 0.2) and of R1/R2 resection (RD 0.09, 0.06 to 0.13; P < 0.001) compared with those undergoing standard surgery. One-, 3- and 5-year survival were worse in the PV-SMV resection group: hazard ratio 1.23 (95 per cent c.i. 1.07 to 1.43; P = 0.005), 1.48 (1.14 to 1.91; P = 0.004) and 3.18 (1.95 to 5.19; P < 0.001) respectively. Median overall survival was 14.3 months for patients undergoing pancreatic resection with PV-SMV resection and 19.5 months for those without vein resection (P = 0.063). Neoadjuvant therapies recently showed promising results.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis showed increased postoperative mortality, higher rates of non-radical surgery and worse survival after pancreatic resection with PV-SMV resection. This may be related to more advanced disease in this group.

Is the 2-cm size cutoff relevant for small nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A French multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) are often discovered at a small size. No clear consensus exists on the management of NF-PNETs ≤ 2 cm. The aim of our study was to determine the prognostic value of indicators of malignancy in sporadic NF-PNETs ≤ 2 cm.

METHODS

Eighty patients were evaluated retrospectively in 7 French University Hospital Centers. Patients were managed by operative resection (operative group [OG]) or observational follow-up (non-OG [NOG]). Pathologic characteristics and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients (58% women) were in the OG (mean age, 59 years; 95% CI, 56.0-62.3; mean tumor size, 1.6 cm; 95% CI, 1.5-1.7); 14 (72% women, n = 10) were in the NOG (mean age, 63 years; 95% CI, 56-70; mean tumor size, 1.4 cm; 95% CI, 1.0-1.7). All PNETs were ranked using the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society grading system. Fifteen patients (19%) had malignant tumors defined by node or liver metastasis (synchronous or metachronous). The median disease-free survival was different between malignant and nonmalignant PNETs, respectively: 16 (range, 4-72) versus 30 months (range, 1-156; P = .03). On a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, tumor size had a significant impact on malignancy (area under the curve [AUC], 0.75; P = .03), but not Ki-67 (AUC, 0.59; P = .31). A tumor size cutoff was found on the ROC curve at 1.7 cm (odd ratio, 10.8; 95% CI; 2.2-53.2; P = .003) with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 75% to predict malignancy.

CONCLUSION

Based on our retrospective study, the cutoff of 2 cm of malignancy used for small NF-PNETs could be decreased to 1.7 cm to select patients more accurately.

Pancreatic cancer surgery in elderly patients: Balancing between short-term harm and long-term benefit. A population-based study in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

At a national level, it is unknown to what degree elderly patients with pancreatic or periampullary carcinoma benefit from surgical treatment compared to their younger counterparts. We investigated resection rates and outcomes after surgical treatment among elderly patients.

METHODS

From the Netherlands Cancer Registry, 20 005 patients diagnosed with primary pancreatic or periampullary cancer in 2005-2013 were selected. The associations between age (<70, 70-74, 75-79, ≥80 years) and resection rates were investigated using χ(2) tests, and surgical outcomes (30-, 90-day mortality) were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Overall survival after resection was investigated by means of Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.

RESULTS

During the study period, resection rates increased in all age groups (<70 years: 20-30%, p < 0.001; ≥80 years: 2-8%, p < 0.001). Of 3845 patients who underwent tumour resection for pancreatic or periampullary carcinoma, the proportion of octogenarians increased from 3.5% to 5.5% (p = 0.03), whereas postoperative mortality did not increase (30-day: 6-3%, p = 0.06; 90-day: 9-8%, p = 0.21). With rising age, 30-day postoperative mortality increased (4-5-7-8%, respectively, p < 0.001), while 90-day mortality was 6-10-13-12% (p < 0.001) and three-year overall survival rates after surgery were 35-33-28-31%, respectively (p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, octogenarians who survived 90 days postoperative exhibited an overall survival close to younger patients [hazard ratio (≥80 vs. <70 years) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (0.99-1.47), p = 0.07].

CONCLUSION

Despite higher short-term mortality, octogenarians who underwent pancreatic resection showed long-term survival similar to younger patients. With careful patient screening and counselling of elderly patients, a further increase of resection rates may be combined with improved outcomes.

Outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy in octogenarians: Single institution's experience and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic and perampullary neoplasms in patients aged 80 or older trouble the surgeons because of the risk of surgical treatment. We have reviewed our experience and literature's reports of pancreaticoduodenectomy in octogenarians, evaluating early results and long-term survival in pancreatic cancer group.

METHODS

Three hundred eighty-five patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for neoplasms from 1998 to 2011 were included in the study, and were divided in two groups: group 1, patients younger than 80 years of age, and group 2, patients 80 years of age and older. Operative morbidity, mortality, disease-free and long-term survival were analysed. English literature was systematically searched for pancreatic resection's outcome in octogenarians.

RESULTS

There were 385 pancreaticoduodenectomies: 362 patients were in group 1 and 23 patients in group 2. There was no significant difference regarding gender, and pathologic findings between the two groups. Complications' rate (40 vs. 43%), mortality rate (4% vs. 0%), and overall median survival for pancreatic cancer patients were not statistically different in the two groups (median 21 vs. 19 months). Literature's review showed 14 reports of pancreatic resection in octogenarians. Most of the studies (particularly in centres with high-volume pancreatic surgery) showed that outcome after pancreatectomy was not different in octogenarians or in younger patients.

CONCLUSION

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is an acceptable option for elderly patients. Age alone should not be considered a contraindication to major pancreatic resection, but a careful preoperative evaluation and an accurate postoperative management are mandatory.

Hospital of diagnosis and likelihood of surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer

Background

Surgical resection for pancreatic cancer offers the only chance of cure. Assessment of the resectability of a pancreatic tumour is therefore of great importance. The aim of the study was to investigate whether centre of diagnosis influences the likelihood of surgery and whether this affects long-term survival.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with non-metastasized pancreatic cancer (M0) between 2005 and 2013 in the Netherlands were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Hospitals were classified as a pancreatic centre (at least 20 resections/year) or a non-pancreatic centre (fewer than 20 resections/year). The relationship between centre of diagnosis and likelihood of surgery was analysed by multivariable logistic regression. Influence of centre on overall survival was assessed by means of multivariable Cox regression analysis.

Results

Some 8141 patients were diagnosed with non-metastasized pancreatic cancer, of whom 3123 (38·4 per cent) underwent surgery. Of the 2712 patients diagnosed in one of 19 pancreatic centres, 52·4 per cent had exploratory laparotomy compared with 31·4 per cent of 5429 patients diagnosed in one of 74 non-pancreatic centres (P &lt; 0·001). A pancreatectomy was performed in 42·8 and 24·6 per cent of the patients respectively (P &lt; 0·001). Multivariable analysis revealed that patients diagnosed in a pancreatic centre had a higher chance of undergoing surgery (odds ratio 2·21, 95 per cent c.i. 1·98 to 2·47). Centre of diagnosis was not associated with improved long-term survival (hazard ratio 0·95, 95 per cent c.i. 0·91 to 1·00).

Conclusion

Patients with non-metastasized pancreatic cancer had a greater likelihood of having surgical treatment when the diagnosis was established in a pancreatic centre.

Survival in patients with primary liver cancer, gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract cancer and pancreatic cancer in Europe 1999-2007: Results of EUROCARE-5

BACKGROUND

The EUROCARE study collects and analyses survival data from population-based cancer registries (CRs) in Europe in order to provide data on between-country differences in survival and time trends in survival.

METHODS

This study analyses data on liver cancer, gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract cancers ("biliary tract cancers"), and pancreatic cancer diagnosed in 2000-2007 from 88 CRs in 29 countries. Relative survival (RS) was estimated overall, by region, sex, age and period of diagnosis using the complete approach. Time trends in 5-year RS over 1999-2007 were also analysed using the period approach.

RESULTS

The prognosis of the studied cancers was poor. Age-standardised 5-year RS was 12% for liver cancer, 17% for biliary tract cancers and 7% for pancreatic cancer. There were some between-country differences in survival. In general, RS was low in Eastern Europe and high in Central and Southern Europe. For all sites, 5-year RS was similar in men and women and decreased with advancing age. No substantial changes in survival were reported for pancreatic cancer over the period 1999-2007. On average, there was a crude increase in 5-year RS of 3 percentage points between the periods 1999-2001 and 2005-2007 for liver cancer and biliary tract cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

The major changes in imaging techniques over the study period for the diagnosis of the three studied cancers did not result in an improvement in the prognosis of these cancers. In the near future, new innovative treatments might be the best way to improve the prognosis in these cancers.

Changes in gastrointestinal cancer resection rates

Background

Many developments in medicine are likely to have influenced the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, including rates of resection. This study sought to investigate changes in surgical resection rates over time among patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods

Patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2012 in the Eindhoven Cancer Registry area were included. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influence of interval of diagnosis on the likelihood of having a resection.

Results

Among 43 370 patients, crude resection rates decreased between 1995 and 2012 for gastric, colonic and rectal cancer, most notably for patients aged at least 85 years with gastric cancer (from 37·3 to 13·3 per cent), and patients aged 75–84 years and 85 years or more with rectal cancer (from 80·5 to 64·4 per cent, and from 58·9 to 36·0 per cent respectively). After adjustment for patient and tumour characteristics, patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2012 with gastric (odds ratio (OR) 0·71, 95 per cent c.i. 0·55 to 0·92), colonic (OR 0·52, 0·44 to 0·62), rectal (OR 0·39, 0·33 to 0·48) and periampullary (OR 0·42, 0·27 to 0·66) cancers were less likely to undergo resection than those diagnosed between 1995 and 1998. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were more likely to undergo resection in recent periods (OR 4·13, 2·57 to 6·64).

Conclusion

Resection rates have fallen over time for several gastrointestinal cancers. This might reflect increased availability of other treatments, better selection of patients as a result of improved diagnostic accuracy, risk-avoiding behaviour and transparency related to surgical outcomes at hospital and surgeon level.

The centralization of robotic surgery in high-volume centers for endometrial cancer patients--a study of 6560 cases in the U.S

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the hospital and patient factors associated with robotic surgery for endometrial cancer in the United States.

METHODS

Data was obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the year 2010. Chi-squared and multivariate analyses were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 6560 endometrial cancer patients who underwent surgery, the median age was 62 (range: 22 to 99). 1647 (25%) underwent robotic surgery, 820 (13%) laparoscopic, and 4093 (62%) had open surgery. The majority was White (65%). Hospitals with 76 or more hysterectomy cases for endometrial cancer patients per year (4% of hospitals in the study) performed 31% of all hysterectomies and 40% of all robotic hysterectomies (p<0.01). 29% of Whites had robotic surgery compared to 15% of Hispanics, 12% of Blacks, and 11% of Asians (p<0.01). Patients with upper-middle and high incomes underwent robotic surgery more than patients with low or middle incomes (p<0.01). 27% of Medicare patients and 26% of patients with private insurance had robotic surgery compared to only 14% of Medicaid patients and 12% of uninsured patients (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of robotic surgeries for endometrial cancer were performed at a small number of high-volume hospitals in the United States. Socioeconomic status, insurance type, and race were also important predictors for the use of RS. Further studies are warranted to better understand the barriers to receiving minimally invasive surgery.

Diabetes after pancreatic surgery: novel issues

In the developed world, pancreatic surgery is becoming more common, with an increasing number of patients developing diabetes because of either partial or total pancreatectomy, with a significant impact on quality of life and survival. Although these patients are expected to consume increasing health care resources in the near future, many aspects of diabetes after pancreatectomy are still not well defined. The treatment of diabetes in these patients takes advantage of the therapies used in type 1 and 2 diabetes; however, no specific guidelines for its management, both immediately after pancreatic surgery or in the long term, have been developed. In this article, on the basis of both the literature and our clinical experience, we address the open issues and discuss the most appropriate therapeutic options for patients with diabetes after pancreatectomy.