Primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum: analysis of survival

Limited resection vs. pancreaticoduodenectomy for primary duodenal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

It is well known that surgery is the mainstay treatment for duodenal adenocarcinoma. However, the optimal extent of surgery is still under debate. We aimed to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of limited resection (LR) and pancreatoduodenectomy for patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma. A systematic electronic database search of the literature was performed using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. All studies comparing LR and pancreatoduodenectomy for patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma were selected. Long-term overall survival was considered as the primary outcome, and perioperative morbidity and mortality as the secondary outcomes. Fifteen studies with a total of 3166 patients were analyzed; 995 and 1498 patients were treated with limited resection and pancreatoduodenectomy, respectively. Eight and 7 studies scored a low and intermediate risk of publication bias, respectively. The LR group had a more favorable result than the pancreatoduodenectomy group in overall morbidity (odd ratio [OR]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17-0.65) and postoperative pancreatic fistula (OR: 0.13, 95% CI 0.04-0.43). Mortality (OR: 0.96, 95% CI 0.70-1.33) and overall survival (OR: 0.61, 95% CI 0.33-1.13) were not significantly different between the two groups, although comparison of the two groups stratified by prognostic factors, such as T categories, was not possible due to a lack of detailed data. LR showed long-term outcomes equivalent to those of pancreatoduodenectomy, while the perioperative morbidity rates were lower. LR could be an option for selected duodenal adenocarcinoma patients with appropriate location or depth of invasion, although further studies are required.

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Features of Surgical Management in Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The rarity of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (DGIST) led to only limited data being available on their management and prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features, surgical treatments, adjuvant therapy, and prognosis of DGIST.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients were identified at diagnosis of primary DGIST from February 2005 to December 2015. One hundred twenty six patients with small intestinal gastrointestinal stromal tutors (GIST) were selected as control groups. Survival analyses were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Three- and five-year recurrence/metastasis-free survival rates of patients with DGIST were similar to those of patients with small intestinal GIST (p > 0.05 for all). Out of 61 cases with DGIST, 45 patients were treated with Limited Resection (LR). Sixteen patients were treated with Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The 3- and 5-year recurrence/metastasis-free survival rates of the PD group and LR group were of no significant difference (p > 0.05 for all). Univariate analysis indicated that factors including surgical approaches, mitotic count, size, and risk grades were significantly associated with recurrence/metastasis-free survival (log-rank test, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the mitotic count was independently correlated with a worse recurrence/metastasis-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with radical resected DGIST had a favourable prognosis, which is similar to that of small intestinal GIST. Both LR and PD were optimal choices for treating DGIST.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for nonampullary duodenal lesions: indications and results

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complex procedure, associated with a definite risk of mortality and 30-50% risk of complications. For nonampullary duodenal lesions, PD can carry a higher morbidity as they are more commonly associated with a soft pancreas and narrow-calibre main pancreatic ducts. It is therefore paramount that the risks and benefits of surgery are considered carefully in this group of patients. A preoperative histological diagnosis for duodenal lesions is normally achieved by endoscopic biopsy. In this study, we aim to assess the outcome of PD in patients with nonampullary duodenal lesions and correlate the preoperative endoscopic histology work-up with the definitive postoperative pathology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed a prospectively collected PD database from January 2007 to December 2013. Demographic and clinical data were included. Preoperative endoscopic histology was compared with final specimen histology to assess concordance.

RESULTS

Forty patients (55% women, mean age 69.4 years, range 45-83 years) underwent PD for duodenal lesions over a 7-year time period. The most common presenting symptom was epigastric pain (32.5%), followed by anaemia (20%). Overall, the complication rate was 55%, with the most frequent adverse event being pancreatic fistula in 13/40 (32.5%). The perioperative mortality was 2/40 (5%). Duodenal adenocarcinoma (65%) was the most common postoperative histological diagnosis. The mean tumour size was 36 mm (range 5-103 mm) and a median of 13 nodes were harvested. The median length of stay was 15 days (range 7-66 days). Overall, 12/40 patients (30%) had a preoperative diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia. The postoperative specimen in this subgroup of patients was reviewed carefully and only 3/12 (25%) patients had high-grade dysplasia in the resection specimen. In the remaining patients, 3/12 (25%) had adenocarcinoma in the resection specimen and 6/12 patients (50%) had low-grade dysplasia.

CONCLUSION

PD carries a high mortality and morbidity, especially for duodenal lesions. We recommend a careful endoscopic review after the index case with a high-definition optical evaluation of duodenal lesions. This, in addition to an experienced histological assessment of the index biopsy material, forms an essential prerequisite in aiding the multidisciplinary team in the decision-making process with respect to triage of these lesions to conservative management, surveillance, endoscopic resection or finally surgical resection.

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy for gastrointestinal stromal tumor

BACKGROUND

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy (PSD) is a promising alternative procedure to pancreaticoduodenectomy for the treatment of duodenal tumors with low-grade malignant behavior.

METHODS

Between March 2003 and September 2012, PSD was performed in 7 patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the second (n = 5) or third (n = 2) portions of the duodenum. The short- and long-term outcomes of treatment were analyzed in all patients.

RESULTS

The median blood loss was 160 mL, and the median operative time was 315 minutes. No pancreatic leakage or perioperative mortality occurred. Surgical margins were negative in all cases. All patients were alive at the median follow-up time of 42 months after PSD. The recurrence-free 5-year survival rate was 53% in all patients. Hepatic metastases developed in 2 of the 5 patients with high- or intermediate-grade risks at the time of diagnosis. Hepatic resection was performed, and imatinib mesylate was administered in the 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Good short- and long-term outcomes and surgical curability were observed in patients treated with PSD for duodenal GIST.

Irinotecan as Salvage Chemotherapy for Advanced Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma: A Series of Three Patients

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a relatively rare disease. Because of its rarity the role of chemotherapy either as adjuvant or for advanced disease has not been clearly defined. Therefore any information, including case reports, is warranted. We report on three patients with adenocarcinoma of the jejunum and ileum. Two patients with positive lymph nodes received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil-folinic acid (5FU-FA) for 12 months but they developed metastatic disease 3 and 8 months later, respectively. The third patient was initially treated with the same agents but for metastatic disease. All patients were subsequently treated for tumor recurrence with irinotecan 350 mg/m2 i.v. every 3 weeks as salvage chemotherapy supported by Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF) for 5 days. Two patients achieved a minor response and had a dramatic improvement of their symptoms. Their survival times after irinotecan administration were 14 and 6 months with an overall survival after primary diagnosis of 29 and 27 months, respectively. The third patient who had a tumor refractory to 5FU-FA progressed also on irinotecan and had an 8-month overall survival. Although conclusions cannot be drawn regarding the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in SBA, it seems reasonable to extrapolate from large bowel carcinoma experience. Irinotecan seems to have some degree of activity in the treatment of SBA but further studies are warranted.

Role of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for duodenal cancer: a single center experience

OBJECTIVES

To compare the treatment outcome of surgery alone with that of surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for duodenal cancer.

METHODS

Between January 1991 and December 2002, 24 patients with duodenal cancer underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. There were 14 males and 10 females, and median age was 61 years (range, 33-75). Nine patients received adjuvant CRT, and 15 did not. Postoperative radiotherapy was delivered up to 40 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction with a 2-week planned rest. Intravenous 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m/d) was given on days 1 to 3 of each split course. Median follow-up period was 32 months (range, 5-170).

RESULTS

Nodal stage and stage group were more advanced in CRT (+) group (P=0.0894 and 0.0361, respectively). However, other patient and tumor characteristics were similar in each group. Five-year overall survival rates of CRT (-) and CRT (+) group were 47% and 30%, respectively (P=0.3799). Five-year locoregional relapse-free survival rates of CRT (-) and CRT (+) group were 64% and 80%, respectively (P=0.4188). On multivariate analysis, patients treated with adjuvant CRT had better locoregional relapse-free survival with borderline significance (P=0.0750). No patient suffered grade 3 or higher toxicity during CRT.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant CRT is feasible and may enhance locoregional control in advanced-staged duodenal cancer after curative resection.

Survival predictors of patients with primary duodenal adenocarcinoma

This single-institution experience retrospectively reviewed the outcomes in 21 patients with primary duodenal adenocarcinoma. Twelve patients underwent curative surgery, and 9 patients underwent palliative surgery at the Chiba University Hospital. The maximum follow-up period was 8650 days. All pathologic specimens from endoscopic biopsy and surgical specimens were reviewed and categorized. Twelve (57.1%) patients underwent curative surgery (R0): 4 pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD), 4 pylorus-preserving PDs (PpPD), 2 local resections of the duodenum and 2 endoscopic mucosal resections (EMR). Palliative surgery was performed for 9 patients (42.9%) following gastro-intestinal bypass. The median cause-specific survival times were 1784 days (range 160-8650 days) in the curative surgery group and 261 days (range 27-857 days) in the palliative surgery group (P = 0.0003, log-rank test). The resectability of primary duodenal adenocarcinoma was associated with a smaller tumor size, a lower degree of tumor depth invasiveness, and less spread to the lymph nodes and distant organs.

Prognostic factors for primary duodenal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to review the clinical features of primary duodenal adenocarcinoma (PDA) patients and to identify factors that influence survival. The natural history of PDA and the factors that affect patient outcome remain poorly defined.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the medical records of 53 patients treated for PDA from January 1995 to May 2007.

RESULTS

Altogether, 28 of the 53 patients (resectability 52.8%) underwent curative resection and 25 (47.2%) surgical palliation (bypass surgery or biopsy). Overall, the 3- and 5-year survival rates were 34.4% and 28.6%, respectively. Survival was significantly higher for patients who underwent curative resection (median survival 39 months; 3- and 5-year survivals 52.9% and 44.1%, respectively) than for those who underwent palliative surgery (median survival 8 months; 3-year survival 0%) (p < 0.001). T stage (p = 0.032) and nodal metastasis (p = 0.002) had significant negative effects on the survival of patients who underwent curative resection according to univariate analysis. However, multivariate analysis revealed that only nodal metastasis (p = 0.015) was significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The resectability of PDA was associated with increased survival, and metastasis to lymph nodes was found to be associated with reduced survival of patients with PDA. Findings indicate that an aggressive surgical approach should be pursued.

Duodenal Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma in a Celiac Patient

Celiac disease results from damage to the small intestinal mucosa due to an inappropriate immune response to a cereal protein. Long-standing or ‘refractory’ celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of autoimmunity and malignancy. We produced a brief literature review starting from a case of duodenal cancer in a celiac patient. The patient with an history of celiac disease since six months presented with acute manifestation of gastric outlet syndrome. A duodenal stricture was diagnosed at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and confirmed by abdominal computed tomography. He was successfully treated by segmental duodenal resection. In the resected specimens, the diagnosis was duodenal signet cell adenocarcinoma. 6-month follow-up is uneventful. Primary carcinoma of the duodenum is rare (duodenal adenocarcinoma accounts for less than 0.5% of all gastrointestinal cancers and 30–45% of small intestinal cancers). Some patients with duodenal carcinoma are potentially curable by surgery, but conflicting opinions exist on the factors influencing the survival rate and on surgical treatment as the gold standard. Nevertheless, the goal in surgical treatment is to achieve clear margins. At present, surgical resection (pancreaticoduodenectomy or pancreas-sparing duodenal segmental resection) is the only available option for cure of this disease.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for small intestine adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Although the small intestine represents 75% of the length and over 90% of the mucosal surface of the alimentary tract, it is the site of only about 2% of malignant gastrointestinal tumours. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological subtype, accounting for about 40% of all malignant small intestinal tumours. The infrequent occurrence when compared with malignancies of the stomach and colon is accompanied by non-specific clinical symptoms. The consequences are a significant delay in diagnosis and the finding of advanced, incurable disease at operation. Wide surgical resection of early lesions is the only potentially curative treatment, but it is possible only in a minority of patients. The rare nature of adenocarcinomas of the small intestine has led to a paucity of information about the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy but there are reports of overall better survival for those patients that receive combination treatment. Most chemotherapy regimens consist of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), alone or in combination with a variety of other agents like doxorubicin, cisplatin, mitomycin C, cyclophosphamide and oxaliplatin.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in the management of adenocarcinoma of the small intestine compared to another adjuvant treatment, a placebo or no other adjuvant treatment.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1966 to 2006), EMBASE (1974 to 2006), PubMed and CINHAL using the Cochrane highly sensitive search strategy for randomised controlled trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Phase III randomised controlled trials comparing post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the small intestine with other adjuvant therapies, placebo or no adjuvant treatment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

No suitable trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS

No studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in the management of adenocarcinoma of the small intestine.

[Duodenal adenocarcinoma]

INTRODUCTION

Duodenal adenocarcinoma is an infrequent neoplasm. Consequently, there are no large series that would allow conclusions to be reached on its diagnosis and treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A retrospective study (1999-2003) of five patients diagnosed with duodenal adenocarcinoma in our service was performed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 54 years. Eighty percent were male. All patients showed weight loss and abdominal pain. The tumors were localized in the second portion in three patients and in the third portion in two patients. All patients underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy, which revealed adenocarcinoma. The most effective diagnostic test was computed tomography. In all patients, the preoperative diagnosis was correct. The technique performed was cephalic duodenopancreatectomy in three patients and duodenectomy with atypical pancreatic resection and right hemicolectomy in one patient. A decision not to perform surgery was made in one patient with liver metastases. Two patients who underwent surgery showed no complications. The remaining two patients showed slow gastric emptying in one patient and pancreatitis of the stump leading to fatal systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the other. Patient survival was 60, 13 and 1 month respectively. There were no recurrences. The patient who did not undergo surgery died at 4 months.

CONCLUSION

Duodenal adenocarcinoma is an infrequent tumor that is associated with various diseases. Surgical treatment is usually cephalic duodenopancreatectomy. Survival in resected patients is better than that obtained in primary pancreatic tumors.

Adenocarcinoma of the small bowel: a study of 37 cases with emphasis on histologic prognostic factors

PURPOSE

Primary small-bowel adenocarcinoma is uncommon. There are few large studies that have evaluated the prognostic impact of clinical and pathologic parameters. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the Cleveland Clinic experience with small-bowel adenocarcinoma, with emphasis on histopathologic parameters as prognostic indicators.

METHODS

Thirty-seven cases of primary small-bowel adenocarcinomas resected at the Cleveland Clinic between 1978 and 1999 were retrospectively studied. Metastatic tumors and those arising from the biliary system were excluded from analysis. Clinical and pathologic data were recorded and their impact on prognosis was evaluated by either Kaplan-Meier or Cox proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS

The cohort included 25 males, and the age range was 24 to 82 (mean, 56) years. Tumor location was duodenum (18), jejunum (10), ileum (2), and site not specified (7). Patients most frequently presented with abdominal pain (48 percent), anemia (39 percent) and small-bowel obstruction (33 percent). Underlying conditions included Crohn's disease (4) and familial adenomatous polyposis (2). Overall survival was 52 and 47 percent at 5 and 10 years, respectively, with a mean follow-up of 50.5 (range, 0.5-184) months for all patients. Features found to be negative prognostic factors for survival were positive surgical margins (P < 0.001), extramural venous spread (P < 0.001), lymph node metastases (P = 0.038), poor tumor differentiation (P = 0.015), depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.023), and history of Crohn's disease (P < 0.001). Age, gender, tumor size, growth pattern, lymphocytic host response, and adjuvant therapy did not affect survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologic features, including positive surgical margins, extramural venous spread, positive lymph nodes, poor tumor differentiation, depth of tumor invasion, and history of Crohn's disease, are of major prognostic significance in small-bowel adenocarcinoma. Although many of these prognostic features are similar to the ones used for colorectal adenocarcinoma, they are easily applicable and reproducible for small-bowel adenocarcinomas. This is important considering the often dismal prognosis of small-bowel adenocarcinoma.

Radiologic evaluation and staging of small intestine neoplasms

The small intestine is an uncommon location for neoplasms in either clinical or radiological practice. Because of its anatomic location and morphology, diagnosis of the diseases that affect small intestine pose difficulties. Symptoms are nonspecific and endoscopy is commonly unsatisfactory. Since early and definite diagnosis is crucial for prompt therapy, radiological imaging plays an essential role. Enteroclysis is the primary and effective radiologic modality in the evaluation of small bowel neoplasms. On the other hand, computed tomography should be the complementary radiologic method as well as for staging. In this review, the most common neoplasms of the small intestine and their common radiologic findings have been discussed.

Neoplasias duodenais primárias: análise de casuística e conduta cirúrgica

São apresentados 18 casos de neoplasias primárias do duodeno, salientando-se sua raridade e as dificuldades diagnósticas, a despeito dos modernos recursos endoscópicos e de identificação por imagem. A literatura revela que de 1% a 10% de todos os tumores do aparelho digestório se situam no intestino delgado. A localização duodenal é, por isso, muito pouco freqüente, possui sintomatologia indefinida e implica conduta terapêutica mais complexa do que quando o tumor se situa em outros segmentos do intestino delgado. Os sintomas mais comuns são dor, náusea, vômito e hemorragia. A presente casuística consiste de 11 neoplasias malignas e sete benignas. Entre as primeiras o adenocarcinoma é o mais freqüente, sendo os lipomas os mais comuns dos neoplasmas benignos. Enquanto nestes a exérese local representa a conduta mais adequada, a duodenopancreatectomia cefálica foi a cirurgia de escolha nos tumores malignos da segunda porção duodenal, exibindo bons resultados. As lesões malignas da terceira porção e principalmente da quarta porção do duodeno foram tratadas pela ressecção duodenojejunal, também com resultados satisfatórios.

Extent of resection in the management of duodenal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

It has been postulated that segmental duodenal resection (SR) is not an adequate operation for patients with adenocarcinoma of the duodenum and that pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the procedure of choice, regardless of the tumor site. However, data from previous studies do not clearly support this position.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 63 patients treated for duodenal adenocarcinoma from 1979 through 1998. Perioperative outcome, patient survival, and extent of lymphadenectomy were compared in patients who underwent PD and SR.

RESULTS

The overall morbidity for PD and SR was 27% and 18%, respectively (not significant [NS]). Patients who underwent SR had a 5-year survival of 60% versus 30% for patients who underwent PD (NS). Lymph node status was a prognostic factor for survival (P = 0.014). The mean number of lymph nodes in the specimens was 9.9 +/- 2.1 for PD and 8.3 +/- 4.4 for SR (NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Segmental duodenal resection for patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma is associated with acceptable postoperative morbidity and long-term survival. The procedure is especially well suited for distal duodenal tumors. Clearance of lymph nodes and outcome are comparable to PD.

Early carcinoma of the distal second part of the duodenum treated by wedge resection

A case of early carcinoma of the distal second part of the duodenum, in a 74-year-old man, is presented. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed for diagnosis of a common bile duct stone. During this procedure, small elevated lesions were found incidentally in the distal second part of the duodenum, and the histologic examination of a biopsy specimen showed adenocarcinoma. The lesions were removed by wedge resection, and pathologic examination revealed duodenal carcinoma limited to the lamina propria. Although carcinoma of the duodenum, other than of the ampulla of Vater region, is very rare, it is sometimes possible to detect asymptomatic early tumors. However, this requires careful observation of the entire duodenal mucosa, including that of the distal duodenum, at duodenoscopy.

Surgical treatment of severe duodenal polyposis in familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at risk for adenomas and cancers in the duodenum but the ideal management of duodenal polyposis remains uncertain.

METHODS

The outcome of surgical resection was analysed in 18 patients with FAP who had severe duodenal polyposis.

RESULTS

Duodenotomy and clearance of duodenal adenomas was performed seven times in six patients. There were two duodenal leaks and, after a mean follow-up of 53 (range 36-72) months, duodenal adenomas recurred in all patients and five had severe polyposis. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in seven patients with severe duodenal polyposis. Histology of the specimens revealed two unsuspected duodenal carcinomas at an early stage. After a mean follow-up of 42 months all patients were alive and well, and there was no case of jejunal polyposis. Pancreatoduodenectomy was attempted in five patients with duodenal cancer and only one survived more than 4 years.

CONCLUSION

Surgical excision of duodenal adenomas should be discussed before carcinoma occurs. Surgical polypectomy fails to guarantee a polyp-free duodenum and carries a risk of postoperative complications whereas pancreatoduodenectomy eliminates the risk of duodenal cancer with an acceptable morbidity rate. Pancreatoduodenectomy could be offered to some patients with large or multiple villous duodenal adenomas repeatedly showing severe dysplasia.

Primary duodenal carcinoma

Eight cases of primary duodenal carcinoma in a district general hospital are presented. The cases highlight the advanced state of the disease at presentation, the difficulty in diagnosis, and its poor prognosis. Duodenal carcinoma occurs in both sexes worldwide with no predisposing factors in the majority of cases. There is an increased risk in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and adenomas of the duodenum. Duodenal carcinoma occurs about 22 years from the diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis in about 2% of patients, forming over 50% of upper gastrointestinal cancers occurring in these patients. Carcinomatous changes occur in 30 to 60% of duodenal villous adenomas and much less in tubulo-villous and tubular adenomas. These categories of patients should be screened and adequately followed up. Aggressive and radical surgery, even in the presence of locally advanced disease and lymph node involvement, gives a better outcome. When curative surgery is not possible, chemotherapy must accompany palliation with or without radiotherapy. Pre-operative chemotherapy may facilitate a curative radical resection. The general five-year survival is 17-33% but some centres have achieved a five-year survival of 40-60% with aggressive management of these patients.

Surgical treatment of primary duodenal carcinoma: a personal series

In a personal series, 22 patients (11 men, 11 women) of median age 60 (range 25-81) years with primary duodenal adenocarcinoma underwent operation between 1979 and 1993. Tumours arising from bile duct, ampullary or pancreatic tissue were excluded. Principal presenting symptoms were jaundice (12 patients), pain (seven), anaemia (six) and vomiting (six). A pre-existing villous adenoma was seen in 11 patients and adjacent duodenal dysplasia in 13. Sites of origin were mostly the second part of the duodenum (18 patients) but also the third and fourth parts (two each). Seventeen patients underwent 'curative' resection with one hospital death at 25 days; the 5-year survival rate thereafter was 40 per cent. Five patients who received palliative surgery survived for a median of 7 months. Primary duodenal carcinoma is a distinct entity with a better prognosis than pancreatic cancer after radical resection. It favours the descending duodenum and is closely linked with villous adenoma and epithelial dysplasia.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum with choledochoduodenal fistula

BACKGROUND

Primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum is an uncommon clinical entity. It has been associated with a dismal prognosis because it is rare and produces no distinctive symptoms until late in its course.

CASE SUMMARY

A 68-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of epigastralgia, anorexia, and progressive weight loss. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a tumor mass in the deformed duodenal bulb with a fistula into the biliary tract. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) barium studies and cholangiography confirmed a fistulous communication between the duodenum and biliary tree.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive evaluation of minor, yet refractory, UGI symptoms and a high index of suspicion offer the best hope for early diagnosis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and barium UGI study are the principal methods of diagnosis of these tumors. Early diagnosis would thus prevent metastasis and complications.

Adenocarcinoma of the duodenum: factors influencing survival. French Association for Surgical Research

The records of 66 patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the duodenum were reviewed retrospectively to determine factors influencing survival. The parameters studied were age, sex, weight loss, jaundice, anaemia, duodenal stenosis, type of surgical procedure, tumour size and location, depth of parietal invasion, presence and location of lymph node metastases, and pancreatic invasion. These factors were assessed in a group of 46 patients who underwent curative resection of the tumour; 20 patients who received palliative procedures were excluded from statistical analysis. Survival curves were established by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the Mantel-Haentszel test. The actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients undergoing curative resection were 59 and 45 per cent respectively. None of the prognostic factors studied influenced survival. These results indicate that resection of adenocarcinoma of the duodenum should be performed whenever possible, even in the presence of lymph node metastasis and pancreatic spread.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum: management and survival in 67 patients

BACKGROUND

Because of the rarity of primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum, accumulation of natural history data has been difficult. As a result, debate continues over important treatment issues.

METHODS

We did a retrospective review of 67 patients with nonampullary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum treated at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1967 and 1991. Presenting symptoms and signs, diagnostic studies, operation performed, surgical pathology, and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

A primary duodenal tumor was demonstrated by upper gastrointestinal radiographs (UGI) in 37 of 42 patients (88%), esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in 49 of 55 (89%), and computerized tomograms (CT) in 21 of 42 (50%). A curative resection was performed in 36 of the 59 patients who underwent operation (61%); 27 had pancreaticoduodenectomies and nine had wide local excisions. Overall 5-year survival was 29%. The 5-year survival difference between resected and unresected patients was 54% versus 0%, respectively (p < 0.0001). No survival difference was noted between patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy rather than wide local excision. Lymph node metastases were significantly related to the occurrence of distant metastases (p = 0.0034). The 5-year survival for patients with stage I or II tumors was 100% and 52%, respectively, compared to 45% and 0% for stage III and IV (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that UGI and EGD are effective for diagnosing duodenal carcinoma. Survival is improved by curative resection and is not compromised by a wide local excision instead of a pancreaticoduodenectomy for lesions of the third and fourth portion. We recommend that adjuvant chemotherapy be considered for stage III disease, because distant failure is the predominant pattern of failure in this group.

Improving resectability and survival in patients with primary duodenal carcinoma

Of 35 patients with primary duodenal carcinoma (PDC), 13 were treated between 1960 and 1974 (group I) and 22 between 1975 and 1990 (group II). PDCs were found in the first 5 portions of the duodenum (14%), second 18 (51%), third 8 (23%), and fourth 4 (12%). Five patients (38%) in group I were deemed to have unresectable disease compared with only one patient (5%) in group II. Eight patients (62%) in group I underwent resection by either pancreatoduodenectomy (4) or segmental resection (4), and 20 patients (95%) in group II had pancreatoduodenectomy (17) or segmental resection (3). Operative mortality was 31% in group I and 0% in group II. Mean survival was 7 months (range: 0 to 22 months) in group I and 48 months (range: 6 to 218 months) in group II. None of the patients in group I survived for 2 years, whereas the 5-year survival for patients in group II was 62%. This experience suggests that resectability, operative mortality, and survival in patients with PDCs have improved markedly in recent years.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation in pancreatic and duodenal carcinoma. A Phase II Study

BACKGROUND

Low resectability rate and high locoregional recurrence are major factors contributing to the failure of surgical treatment for localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A Phase II study involving preoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C and radiation therapy was evaluated.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with biopsy-proven carcinoma (24, head of pancreas; 2, body; 5 duodenum) were treated with preoperative radiation therapy, 5040 cGy (180 cGy/fraction, 5 days/week), concurrent with 5-FU, 1000 mg/m2/day continuous infusion (days 2-5, 28-32) and mitomycin C 10 mg/m2 bolus (day 2). Ten patients had previous laparotomy or bypass surgery and were deemed unresectable; 21 had percutaneous, endoscopic retrograde choleangiopancreatic, or transhepatic stent biopsies.

RESULTS

Toxicity included neutropenic fever (2 patients), biliary sepsis (2 patients), and nausea and vomiting requiring total parenteral nutrition. One patient died of biliary sepsis before completion of chemoradiation and 11 patients showed evidence of metastatic disease (clinical or occult). Resectability rate was 38% (10/26) for pancreatic carcinoma and 80% (4/5) for duodenal carcinoma. Pathology of the resected specimens revealed extensive necrosis and hyalinization with clear margins in all cases. Lymph node metastases were found in one case of pancreatic carcinoma. The four resected duodenal carcinomas contained no residual tumor in the specimens. At a median follow-up of 29 months, the median survival time for those with pancreatic carcinoma was not yet reached in the resection group and was 8 months in the nonresection group. The corresponding actuarial 5-year survival rates were 58% and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy was given safely to patients with pancreatic and duodenal carcinoma. It facilitated complete resection in 38% of patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 80% of those with duodenal carcinoma. A significant downstaging of positive margins and regional lymph nodes occurs as a result of preoperative chemoradiation.