The influence of total nodes examined, number of positive nodes, and lymph node ratio on survival after surgical resection and adjuvant chemoradiation for pancreatic cancer: a secondary analysis of RTOG 9704

Phase 1 Study of Adjuvant Allogeneic Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-Transduced Pancreatic Tumor Cell Vaccine, Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide, and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Followed by FOLFIRINOX in High-Risk Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Local and distant progression remains common following resection of resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) despite adjuvant multiagent chemotherapy. We report a prospective institutional phase 1 trial incorporating adjuvant GVAX vaccine, low-dose cyclophosphamide (Cy), and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) followed by FOLFIRINOX (FFX) among patients who underwent resection of high-risk PDAC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study design was a modified 3+3. Cohort 1 received 5-fraction SBRT to 33 Gy to the tumor bed and 25 Gy to elective nodes followed by 6 cycles of full-dose FFX. After toxicity review, cohort 2 had SBRT and was switched to modified FFX (mFFX). Cohort 3 had 1 cycle of Cy/GVAX followed by SBRT, mFFX, and 4 cycles of maintenance Cy/GVAX with 6-month Cy/GVAX boosts until progression.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 36.2 months. To be eligible, patients were required to have close/positive margins (within ≤1 mm) (71%) and/or lymph node metastasis (79%). Overall, 63% of patients had both. In cohort 1, 67% of patients received 6 cycles of FFX; in cohort 2, 75% received 6 cycles of modified FFX. In cohort 3, 12 patients received the first dose of Cy/GVAX and SBRT with 10 individuals (83%) receiving 6 cycles of mFFX. Cohort 3 had acceptable levels of grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and diarrhea after 2 cycles of mFFX. Median overall survival (OS)/disease-free survival (DFS) for the overall cohort and cohort 3 was 36.2/18.2 months and 61.3/24.1 months, respectively. One- and 2-year OS for cohort 3 was 83%/75%, respectively. At the last follow-up (median = x), 5 patients were alive (42%) in cohort 3.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first prospective trial to evaluate adjuvant GVAX, Cy, SBRT, and mFFX in resected PDAC patients with high-risk features. This combination regimen was well tolerated with limited toxicity and promising survival outcomes, warranting future studies to validate this regimen in the adjuvant setting.

Evaluation of prognostic significance of histopathological characteristics and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for pancreatic cancer survival

With a 5-year survival of ˂ 10%, pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Given the role of the distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TILs) subtypes in the tumor and its microenvironment in predicting prognosis, the development of new targeted therapies based on T-cell adaptive response has gained considerable attention. This study aimed to examine the peritumoral spread of TILs and its relationship with other prognostic parameters and survival. This study included 60 patients with pancreatic cancer who had undergone surgery with follow-up between 2011 and 2021. Demographic characteristics, tumor histopathological features, peritumoral TILs counts, and intratumoral programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand - 1 (PD-L1) positivity were evaluated. Furthermore, overall survival and their efficacy in predicting survival according to TNM stage were analyzed. The number of cluster differentiation-3 positive (CD3 P) TILs increased with advancing pathological T stage. CD3 P and CD8 P TIL counts were higher in patients with peripancreatic fatty tissue invasion. Patients with PD-L1 positivity and higher TIL counts had better survival rates. PD-L1-negative patients with a low CD8 positive/total lymph node count (P/T) ratio had a longer survival. Moreover, patients with poorly differentiated tumors with low CD3 P/T and CD8 P/T ratios had a longer survival. The CD3 P/T and CD8 P/T ratios were compatible with the automatic and manual measurements. Age, tumor differentiation, N stage, and peritumoral TIL count and subtype, when evaluated together with the presence of PD-L1 in the tumor tissue, may have prognostic significance for survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.

A 3 M Evaluation Protocol for Examining Lymph Nodes in Cancer Patients: Multi-Modal, Multi-Omics, Multi-Stage Approach

Through meticulous examination of lymph nodes, the stage and severity of cancer can be determined. This information is invaluable for doctors to select the most appropriate treatment plan and predict patient prognosis; however, any oversight in the examination of lymph nodes may lead to cancer metastasis and poor prognosis. In this review, we summarize a significant number of articles supported by statistical data and clinical experience, proposing a standardized evaluation protocol for lymph nodes. This protocol begins with preoperative imaging to assess the presence of lymph node metastasis. Radiomics has replaced the single-modality approach, and deep learning models have been constructed to assist in image analysis with superior performance to that of the human eye. The focus of this review lies in intraoperative lymphadenectomy. Multiple international authorities have recommended specific numbers for lymphadenectomy in various cancers, providing surgeons with clear guidelines. These numbers are calculated by applying various statistical methods and real-world data. In the third chapter, we mention the growing concern about immune impairment caused by lymph node dissection, as the lack of CD8 memory T cells may have a negative impact on postoperative immunotherapy. Both excessive and less lymph node dissection have led to conflicting findings on postoperative immunotherapy. In conclusion, we propose a protocol that can be referenced by surgeons. With the systematic management of lymph nodes, we can control tumor progression with the greatest possible likelihood, optimize the preoperative examination process, reduce intraoperative risks, and improve postoperative quality of life.

A Lymph Node Ratio Model for Prognosis of Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of lymph node (LN) involvement and the LN ratio (LNR) and their effect on recurrence rates and survival in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) undergoing surgery. This single-center retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 95 consecutive patients diagnosed with PNETs who underwent surgery at our medical center between 1997 and 2017. The retrieved information included patient demographics, pathology reports, treatments, and oncological outcomes. Results: 95 consecutive potentially suitable patients were identified. The 78 patients with PNETs who underwent surgery and for whom there was adequate data were included in the analysis. Their mean ± standard deviation age at diagnosis was 57.4 ± 13.4 years (range 20-82), and there were 50 males (64%) and 28 females (36%). 23 patients (30%) had LN metastases (N1). The 2.5- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for the entire cohort were 79.5% and 71.8%, respectively, and their 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 85.9% and 82.1%, respectively. The optimal value of the LNR was 0.1603, which correlated with the outcome (2-year OS p = 0.002 HR = 13.4 and 5-year DFS p = 0.016 HR = 7.2, respectively, and 5-year OS and 5-year DFS p = 0.004 HR = 9 and p = 0.001 HR = 10.6, respectively). However, the multivariate analysis failed to show that the LNR was an independent prognostic factor in PNETs. Patients with PNETs grade and stage are known key prognostic factors influencing OS and DFS. According to our results, LNR failed to be an independent prognostic factor.

The Histopathology of Neoadjuvant-Treated (NAT) Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Examination of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after NAT with the intent of diagnosis and outcome prediction remains a challenging task. The lack of a uniform approach to macroscopically assess these cases along with variations in sampling adds to the complexity. Several TRG systems have been proposed to correlate with an overall survival. In clinical practice, most of these TRG schemes have shown low level of interobserver agreement arguing for a need of larger studies and more innovative ways to assess outcome in this population.

Emerging Role for 7T MRI and Metabolic Imaging for Pancreatic and Liver Cancer

Advances in magnet technologies have led to next generation 7T magnetic resonance scanners which can fit in the footprint and price point of conventional hospital scanners (1.5−3T). It is therefore worth asking if there is a role for 7T magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy for the treatment of solid tumor cancers. Herein, we survey the medical literature to evaluate the unmet clinical needs for patients with pancreatic and hepatic cancer, and the potential of ultra-high field proton imaging and phosphorus spectroscopy to fulfil those needs. We draw on clinical literature, preclinical data, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data of human derived samples, and the efforts to date with 7T imaging and phosphorus spectroscopy. At 7T, the imaging capabilities approach histological resolution. The spectral and spatial resolution enhancements at high field for phospholipid spectroscopy have the potential to reduce the number of exploratory surgeries due to tumor boundaries undefined at conventional field strengths. Phosphorus metabolic imaging at 7T magnetic field strength, is already a mainstay in preclinical models for molecular phenotyping, energetic status evaluation, dosimetry, and assessing treatment response for both pancreatic and liver cancers. Metabolic imaging of primary tumors and lymph nodes may provide powerful metrics to aid staging and treatment response. As tumor tissues contain extreme levels of phospholipid metabolites compared to the background signal, even spectroscopic volumes containing less than 50% tumor can be detected and/or monitored. Phosphorus spectroscopy allows non-invasive pH measurements, indicating hypoxia, as a predictor of patients likely to recur. We conclude that 7T multiparametric approaches that include metabolic imaging with phosphorus spectroscopy have the potential to meet the unmet needs of non-invasive location-specific treatment monitoring, lymph node staging, and the reduction in unnecessary surgeries for patients undergoing resections for pancreatic cancer. There is also potential for the use of 7T phosphorous spectra for the phenotyping of tumor subtypes and even early diagnosis (<2 mL). Whether or not 7T can be used for all patients within the next decade, the technology is likely to speed up the translation of new therapeutics.

Accurate Nodal Staging in Pancreatic Cancer in the Era of Neoadjuvant Therapy

BACKGROUND

Nodal disease is prognostic in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, optimal number of examined lymph nodes (ELNs) required to accurately stage nodal disease in the current era of neoadjuvant therapy remains unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the optimal number of ELNs in patients with neoadjuvantly treated PDAC.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on patients with PDAC undergoing resection following neoadjuvant treatment between 2011 and 2018. Clinicopathological data were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 546 patients included, 232 (42.5%) had lymph node metastases. The median recurrence free survival (RFS) was 10.6 months (95% confidence interval: 9.7-11.7) and nodal disease was independently associated with shorter RFS (9.1 vs 11.9 months; p < 0.001). A cutoff of 22 ELNs was identified that stratified patients by RFS. Patients with N1 and N2 disease had similar median RFS (9.1 vs 8.9 months; p = 0.410). On multivariable analysis, ELN of ≥ 22 was found to be significantly associated with longer RFS among patients with N0 disease (14.2 vs. 10.9 months, p = 0.046). However, ELN has no impact on RFS for patients with N1/N2 disease (9.5 vs. 8.4 months, p = 0.190). Adjuvant therapy was associated with RFS only in patients with residual nodal disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymph node metastases remain prognostic in PDAC patients after neoadjuvant treatment. Among N0 patients, a cutoff of 22 ELN was associated with improved RFS and resulted in optimal nodal staging.

The Site of Lymph Node Metastasis: A Significant Prognostic Factor in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

While the presence and number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) are important prognostic factors for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), there is no recommendation to specify metastatic regional LN localization in the current staging system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic effect of regional metastatic LN localizations in PDAC.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Metastatic sites of 101 consecutive PDAC patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were classified as peripancreatic, perigastric, hepatica communis, hepatoduodenal, and superior mesenteric artery. The frequency of metastasis in each region and the association between the presence of metastasis in each site and overall and disease-free survival were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty cases (79.2%) had peripancreatic, 7 (6.9%) had perigastric, 6 (5.9%) had hepatica communis, 7 (6.9%) had hepatoduodenal, and 4 (4%) had superior mesenteric artery LN metastasis. The overall and disease-free survival values were significantly shorter in patients with hepatoduodenal LN metastasis (log rank; p= 0.001, p=0.017, respectively). The presence of metastatic superior mesenteric artery LN was significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival in univariate analysis (p=0.017). Hepatoduodenal LN metastasis was an independent predictor of mortality (p=0.005) in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

The presence of hepatoduodenal LN metastasis is an independent poor prognostic factor for mortality. The presence of metastatic LN in the superior mesenteric artery region was significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival time, although not an independent predictor. We conclude that the metastatic regional LN sites, especially the hepatoduodenal region, have an impact on the prognosis, and should be included in synoptic pathology reports.

Rethinking the TNM Classification Regarding Direct Lymph Node Invasion in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Simple Summary

Due to the rising burden of pancreatic cancer and poor outcomes, a precise, post-operative cancer staging for further and individualized therapy is needed. In the latest cancer classification system, the lymph node invasion mechanism is not addressed. Due to different outcomes regarding the lymph node invasion, we suggest a rethinking of the current system.

Abstract

Mechanisms of lymph node invasion seem to play a prognostic role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after resection. However, the 8th edition of the TNM classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) does not consider this. The aim of this study was to analyse the prognostic role of different mechanisms of lymph node invasion on PDAC. One hundred and twenty-two patients with resected PDAC were examined. We distinguished three groups: direct (per continuitatem, Nc) from the main tumour, metastasis (Nm) without any contact to the main tumour, and a mixed mechanism (Ncm). Afterwards, the prognostic power of the different groups was analysed concerning overall survival (OS). In total, 20 patients displayed direct lymph node invasion (Nc = 16.4%), 44 were classed as Nm (36.1%), and 21 were classed as Ncm (17.2%). The difference in OS was not statistically significant between N0 (no lymph node metastasis, n = 37) and Nc (p = 0.134), while Nm had worse OS than N0 (p < 0.001). Direct invasion alone had no statistically significant effect on OS (p = 0.885). Redefining the N0 stage by including Nc patients showed a more precise OS prediction among N stages (p = 0.001 vs. p = 0.002). Nc was more similar to N0 than to Nm; hence, we suggest a rethinking of TNM classification based on the mechanisms of lymph node metastases in PDAC. Overall, this novel classification is more precise.

Surgery for pancreatic cancer: current controversies and challenges

Two areas that remain the focus of improvement in pancreatic cancer include high post-operative morbidity and inability to uniformly translate surgical success into long-term survival. This narrative review addresses specific aspects of pancreatic cancer surgery, including neoadjuvant therapy, vascular resections, extended pancreatectomy, extent of lymphadenectomy and current status of minimally invasive surgery. R0 resection confers longer disease-free survival and overall survival. Vascular and adjacent organ resections should be undertaken after neoadjuvant therapy, only if R0 resection can be ensured based on high-quality preoperative imaging, and that too, with acceptable post-operative morbidity. Extended lymphadenectomy does not offer any advantage over standard lymphadenectomy. Although minimally invasive distal pancreatectomies offers some short-term benefits over open distal pancreatectomy, safety remains a concern with minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy. Strict adherence to principles and judicious utilization of surgery within a multimodality framework is the way forward.

Score for predicting overall survival in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with positive lymph nodes after surgery: a novel nomogram-based risk assessment

Background

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PaC) patients with positive lymph nodes (PLNs) have a dismal prognosis and lack a specific prognostic stage. This study aimed to construct a nomogram for the prediction of overall survival (OS) in these patients.

Methods

A total of 1,340 patients screened from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database were included and randomly divided at a ratio of 7:3 into a training set (n=940) and an internal validation set (n=400). Cox regression analyses were conducted to select independent predictors in the training set, and a nomogram was constructed. The model was verified in the internal validation set and in an external validation set, which comprised 64 patients from a Chinese institute.

Results

Six independent prognostic factors (age at diagnosis, tumor grade, lymph node ratio, T stage, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) were identified in PaC patients with PLNs and were entered into the nomogram. The final model had a higher C-index for predicting OS than the American Joint Committee on Cancer-8th edition staging system (training set: 0.658 vs. 0.546; internal validation set: 0.661 vs. 0.546; external validation set: 0.691 vs. 0.581). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values indicated better discrimination power for the established nomogram with respect to the prediction of OS in the training, internal validation, and external validation sets than for the American Joint Committee on Cancer-8th edition staging system. Furthermore, the nomogram performed well in both calibration and decision curve analyses (DCA) of clinical applicability. OS in PaC patients with PLNs was significantly distinguished among the three risk groups stratified according to the nomogram score (P<0.001).

Conclusions

The well-calibrated nomogram was determined to be extremely efficient in predicting survival, and defining a high-risk population based on the nomogram score among PaC patients with PLNs after surgery.

Prognostic Nomogram for Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A TRIPOD-Compliant Retrospective Long-Term Survival Analysis

BACKGROUND

Prognostic prediction had been widely used in various cancer entities, from early screening to end-stage patient caring. Currently, there is hardly any well-validated nomogram which exists for long-term survival prediction in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) patients in a post-surgery setting. Our objectives are to identify possible prognostic factors in PC patients following radical resection and to develop a prognostic nomogram based on independent survival predictors.

METHODS

From 2009 to 2014, a total of 432 PC patients who underwent curative intended surgeries with complete follow-up data were included in this current retrospective long-term survival analysis. Clinicopathological data were extracted from medical records, and all missing values (percentage 0.9-8.3%) were imputed five times with the "PMM" method. Cox proportional hazards models were utilized. A nomogram was formulated based on results from the multivariate regression model so as to predict OS at 1-, 2- and 3-year as well as median OS. Validations, including discrimination and calibration, were carried out with 1000 bootstrap resamples. External validation was conducted in order to verify the accuracy of our nomogram at 1 and 2 years by utilizing the clinicopathological data of 122 PC patients who underwent curative intended surgeries in 2015 in our centre.

RESULTS

Age, abdominal pain, back pain, tumour location, preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, preoperative CA19-9, tumour differentiation, microscopic nerve invasion, microscopic vascular invasion, T stage, lymph node ratio, M stage and adjuvant chemotherapy were all assembled into nomogram. The concordance index (C-index) of internal and external validation was 0.702 and 0.688, respectively. The C-index of the TNM staging system was 0.572 (P < 0.001 vs. nomogram).

CONCLUSION

Our prognostic nomogram based on clinicopathological parameters shows good performance in long-term survival prediction in PC patients following radical surgery and could play a role in further clinical utilization.

The benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy on overall survival in resected stage I to II pancreatic cancer: A propensity-adjusted analysis

BACKGROUND

The survival time of patients with early pancreatic cancer (PC) is still disappointing, even after surgical resection. PC has an extremely poor prognosis. Herein, we aimed to investigate the survival effect of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) on resected stage I to II PC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A large eligible sample of patients was identified from 2010 to 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry. Survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of PORT. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to reduce selection bias and to make the groups comparable.

RESULTS

A total of 3219 patients with resected stage I to II PC was included after rigid screening. The median overall survival (OS) was 26 months with PORT (n = 1055) versus 21 months with non-PORT (n = 2164) before matching (p<0.001). By multivariable analysis, PORT remained a favorable prognostic predictor for OS. In PSM analysis, receiving PORT was associated with improved OS (median, 26 months vs. 23 months; at 2 years, 51.7% vs. 46.7%; at 5 years, 23.3% vs. 17.4% (P = 0.006). After further meticulous exploration, only the stage IIB subgroup benefited from PORT (p<0.001). This result was due to the positive lymph node state (N+), whose mortality risk was cut by 23.4% (p<0.001) by PORT.

CONCLUSION

Addition of PORT to the treatment of patients with resected stage I to II PC conveys a survival benefit, particularly among those with N-positive or stage IIB disease.

Pancreatic body and tail cancer and favorable metastatic lymph node behavior on the left edge of the aorta

BACKGROUND

Lymph node (LN) metastasis in pancreatic body-tail cancer is a poor prognostic factor and the optimal LN dissection area for distal pancreatectomy (DP) remains unclear. Lymphatic flow from the tumors is thought to depend on the tumor sites. We examined LN metastasis frequency based on tumor site and recurrent patterns post-DP.

METHODS

With a retrospective, single institutional study, we examined 100 patients who underwent DP as an upfront surgery for pancreatic cancer over 17 years. Tumor sites were classified as tumor confined to pancreatic body (and neck) (Pb(n)); and pancreatic tail (Pt). We compared metastatic LN and recurrence patterns based on tumor site. The median overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

LN metastasis occurred in 59/100 (59.0%), with 23 and 25 tumors located in the Pb(n), and Pt, respectively. Those with the tumor in Pt had metastases to #10, #11d/p, and #18 LN mainly. However, the patients with the Pb(n) tumor had metastases to #8a/p, #11p, and #14p/d LN. There was no metastasis to #10 and #11d LN. The OS and DFS were 34 and 15 months, respectively. No significant difference was found in the OS, DFS, and recurrence patterns based on tumor sites.

CONCLUSION

Differences in metastatic LN sites were observed in pancreatic body-tail cancer when tumors were confined to the left or right of the left aortic edge. Although it is necessary to validate this finding with a large-scale study, organ-preserving DP might be a treatment option for selected patients depending on the tumor sites.

Role of lymphadenectomy in resectable pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most devastating malignant diseases, predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. Despite advances in surgical techniques and in systemic therapy, the 5-year relative survival remains a grim 9% for all stages combined. The extent of lymphadenectomy has been discussed intensively for decades, given that even in early stages of PC, lymph node (LN) metastasis can be detected in approximately 80%.

PURPOSE

The primary objective of this review was to provide an overview of the current literature evaluating the role of lymphadenectomy in resected PC. For this, we evaluated randomized controlled studies (RCTs) assessing the impact of extent of lymphadenectomy on OS and studies evaluating the prognostic impact of anatomical site of LN metastasis and the impact of the number of resected LNs on OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphadenectomy plays an essential part in the multimodal treatment algorithm of PC and is an additional therapeutic tool to increase the chance for surgical radicality and to ensure correct staging for optimal oncological therapy. Based on the literature from the last decades, standard lymphadenectomy with resection of at least ≥ 15 LNs is associated with an acceptable postoperative complication risk and should be recommended to obtain local radicality and accurate staging of the disease. Although radical surgery including appropriate lymphadenectomy of regional LNs remains the only chance for long-term tumor control, future studies specifically assessing the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on extraregional LNs are warranted.

Impact of Diabetes and Insulin Use on Prognosis in Patients With Resected Pancreatic Cancer: An Ancillary Analysis of NRG Oncology RTOG 9704

PURPOSE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been proposed to be tumorigenic; however, prior studies of the association between DM and survival are conflicting. The goal of this ancillary analysis of RTOG 9704, a randomized controlled trial of adjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, was to determine the prognostic effects of DM and insulin use on survival.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eligible patients from RTOG 9704 with available data on DM and insulin use were included. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and variable levels were compared using log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were created to assess the associations among DM, insulin use, and body mass index phenotypes on outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 538 patients enrolled from 1998 to 2002, 238 patients were eligible with analyzable DM and insulin use data. Overall 34% of patients had DM and 66% did not. Of patients with DM, 64% had insulin-dependent DM, and 36% had non-insulin-dependent DM. On univariable analysis, neither DM nor insulin dependence were associated with OS or DFS (P > .05 for all). On multivariable analysis, neither DM, insulin use, nor body mass index were independently associated with OS or DFS. Nonwhite race (hazard ratio [HR], 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-3.50; P = .0014), nodal involvement (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.24-2.45; P = .0015), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) ≥90 U/mL (HR, 3.61; 95% CI, 2.32-5.63; P < .001) were associated with decreased OS. Nonwhite race (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.05-2.63; P = .029) and CA19-9 ≥90 U/mL (HR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.85-4.40; P < .001) were associated with decreased DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

DM and insulin use were not associated with OS or DFS in patients with pancreatic cancer in this study. Race, nodal involvement, and increased CA19-9 were significant predictors of outcomes. These data might apply to the more modern use of neoadjuvant therapies for potentially resectable pancreatic cancer.

Lymph Node Ratio as a Prognostic Marker in Pancreatic Cancer Survival: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction The lymph node ratio (LNR) is defined as the ratio of number of positive lymph nodes to the total number of lymph nodes harvested during surgery. The objective of this article is to investigate the efficacy of LNR as a prognostic indicator of survival in pancreatic cancer patients who have undergone surgery by meta-analysis. Methods A systematic database search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar for relevant studies that reported LNR in pancreatic cancer. Two authors independently screened the relevant articles for selection and to extract data. All studies published in English up to April 2020 were obtained, and a total of 17,128 node-positive patients in 14 studies were included in this meta-analysis. RevMan software 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, the Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark) was used for conducting all statistical analyses. Results This meta-analysis demonstrated that LNR > 0.2 significantly correlated with worse survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.74-1.94; p ≤ 0.00001) in node-positive pancreatic cancer patients. Conclusions Our findings have demonstrated that a higher LNR is a predictor of poor survival and that LNR serves as an independent prognostic marker for assessing survival using a cut-off of 20%.

Prognostic Significance of Elevated Preoperative Serum CA125 Levels After Curative Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate predictive and prognostic significance of elevated carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) serum level preoperatively.

Methods

A total of 3440 HCC patients were retrospectively enrolled into this study, and all of them underwent curative hepatectomy. The clinical and pathological variables together with CA125, AFP serum level were collected at diagnosis and postoperative care stages. A chi-square test was used to compare the differences between variables. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were measured with the Kaplan-Meier method. To estimate prognostic factors, a multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed.

Results

Of the 3440 enrolled patients, 409 (11.9%) exhibited elevated preoperative serum CA125 level, and high preoperative serum CA125 level was significantly associated with younger age, female, higher ALBI grade, higher serum AFP level, blood transfusion, more operative bleeding loss, larger tumor size, multiple tumor, increased macro- or micro-vascular invasion, Edmondson grade III-IV, absence of tumor capsular, satellite nodules, liver cirrhosis, more advanced TNM stages and BCLC stages. HCC patients with high preoperative serum CA125 level usually had a shorter OS rate and experienced a higher probability of recurrence than those with normal preoperative serum level of CA125 (p<0.0001). The multivariate analysis suggested that elevated serum CA125 level serves as an independent predictor of OS and RFS in HCC patients after surgical resection.

Conclusion

Elevated preoperative serum CA125 correlated with many malignant characterizations of HCC and served as an independent prognostic factor of OS and RFS.

Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy may offer improved oncologic outcomes over open surgery: a propensity-matched single-institution study

BACKGROUND

The robotic platform in pancreatic disease has gained popularity in the hepatobiliary community due to significant advantages it technically offers over conventional open and laparoscopic techniques. Despite promising initial studies, there remains scant literature on operative and oncologic outcomes of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

A retrospective review evaluated all RPD performed for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 2008 to 2019 in a single tertiary institution. RPD cases were matched to open cases (OPD) by demographic and oncologic characteristics and outcomes compared using Mann-Whitney U test, log rank tests, and Kaplan-Meier methods.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight RPD cases were matched to 38 OPD. RPD had significantly higher lymph node (LN) yield (21.5 vs 13.5; p = 0.0036) and no difference in operative time or estimated blood loss (EBL). RPD had significantly lower rate of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) (3% vs 32%; p = 0.0009) but no difference in leaks, infections, hemorrhage, urinary retention ,or ileus. RPD had significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) (7.5 vs. 9; p = 0.0209). There were no differences in 30- or 90-day readmissions or 90-day mortality. There was an equivalent R0 resection rate and LN positivity ratio. There was a trend towards improved median overall survival in RPD (30.4 vs. 23.0 months; p = 0.1105) and longer time to recurrence (402 vs. 284 days; p = 0.7471). OPD had two times the local recurrent rate (16% vs. 8%) but no difference in distant recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

While the feasibility and safety of RPD has been demonstrated, the impact on oncologic outcomes had yet to be investigated. We demonstrate that RPD not only offers similar if not superior immediate post-operative benefit by decreasing DGE but more importantly may offer improved oncologic outcomes. The significantly higher LN yield and decreased inflammatory response demonstrated in robotic surgery may improve overall survival.

The Value of Total Lymph Nodes Examined and Number of Positive Lymph Nodes in Determining the Role of Adjuvant Radiation in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the survival benefits by adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in pancreatic cancer patients with different total lymph nodes examined (TNE), number of positive lymph nodes (NPN), and lymph nodes ratio (LNR).

METHODS

National Cancer Database was queried for nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer patients from 2004 to 2015. Cox models were utilized. Interaction terms were applied to evaluate the effect of RT in different NPN, LNR, and margin strata. Multivariate analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Of 19,759 patients identified, 10,910 patients qualified. Compared with TNE of 1 to 9, TNE of 10 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 24, and 25 or greater had progressive overall survival (OS) benefits. Adjuvant RT had similar OS benefits among them. In negative margin patients, adjuvant RT improved OS when NPN was 2 to 3 (hazards ratio [HR], 0.84; P = 0.01) or LNR was 0.15 to 0.25 (HR, 0.79; P = 0.002). In positive margin patients, adjuvant RT nonsignificantly improved OS when NPN was 1 to 3 (HR, 0.89; P = 0.36) or when NPN was 4 or greater (HR, 0.79; P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher TNE correlates with better survival. Adjuvant RT may not compensate for inadequate lymph node dissection. Adjuvant RT improves survival in negative-margin patients with 2 to 3 positive lymph nodes or LNR of 0.15 to 0.25.

Contrast-enhanced CT radiomics for predicting lymph node metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

We developed a computational model integrating clinical data and imaging features extracted from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images, to predict lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 159 patients with PDAC (118 in the primary cohort and 41 in the validation cohort) who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography examination between 2012 and 2015. All patients underwent surgery and lymph node status was determined. A total of 2041 radiomics features were extracted from venous phase images in the primary cohort, and optimal features were extracted to construct a radiomics signature. A combined prediction model was built by incorporating the radiomics signature and clinical characteristics selected by using multivariable logistic regression. Clinical prediction models were generated and used to evaluate both cohorts.

RESULTS

Fifteen features were selected for constructing the radiomics signature based on the primary cohort. The combined prediction model for identifying preoperative lymph node metastasis reached a better discrimination power than the clinical prediction model, with an area under the curve of 0.944 vs. 0.666 in the primary cohort, and 0.912 vs. 0.713 in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated that a noninvasive radiomics signature extracted from contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging can be conveniently used for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with PDAC.

Survival, morbidity and mortality of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after pancreaticoduodenectomy with a total mesopancreas excision

INTRODUCTION

pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most common malignancy in the periampullary region, with a five-year survival rate around 20%.

OBJECTIVE

the goal of our study was to determine the survival and safety data of a number of patients that underwent a cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (CDP) with total mesopancreas excision (TMPE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

a prospective observational study was performed of 114 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent duodenopancreatectomy and TMPE over the period 2008-2017. Demographic variables, tumor stage, number of lymph nodes excised, lymph node ratio, R classification, the prognostic factor disease-free interval and survival were all assessed in a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

complications were reported for 54 (47.3%) patients, of which 22 (19.3%) were categorized as serious. The mortality rate was 4.3% and the mean follow-up was 26.2 months. During this period, 73 (64%) patients relapsed after a mean interval of 40.9 months. The relapse pattern was mainly hepatic (26.3%), followed by local relapse (20%). Mean survival was 40.38 and actuarial survival was 26.6% at five years. Relapse-related factors included stage T3 or higher (RR 8.1 [1.1-61]) and an R1 resection (RR 13.4 [2.7-66.5]) and survival-related factors included an R1 resection (RR 10.7 [2.5-46.2]).

CONCLUSION

TMPE ensures an adequate lymphadenectomy and lymph node ratio according to reported standards. The survival of patients that have undergone surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in our institution is 68.4% at one year and 26.6% at five years. An R1 resection is the primary factor for both relapse and survival.

A Single-Institution Validation Study of Lymph Node Staging By the AJCC 8th Edition for Patients with Pancreatic Head Cancer: A Proposal to Subdivide the N2 Category

BACKGROUND

According to the revised staging of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 8th edition (AJCC8), the N category in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is classified as N0 (0), N1 (1-3), and N2 (≥ 4) based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs). This study aimed to validate this classification and analyze cutoff values of metastatic LN numbers.

METHODS

Patients with pancreatic head ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at our institution between 2005 and 2016 without preoperative therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were staged by AJCC8, and prognostic analyses were performed. The best cutoff value for the metastatic LN number was determined by the minimum P value approach.

RESULTS

In 228 of 309 patients, LN metastases were found (median number of examined LNs, 41). The median survival time (MST) was 56 months in the N0 group, 34 months in the N1 group, and 20 months in the N2 group (N0 vs N1: P = 0.023; N1 vs N2: P < 0.001). The best cutoff number of metastatic LNs was 4 for patients with LN metastases and 7 for patients with N2 disease. The MST for patients with four to six positive nodes (N2a) was significantly longer than for those with seven or more positive nodes (N2b) (24.0 vs 19.1 months: P = 0.012). For N2b patients, conventional adjuvant chemotherapy did not show survival benefits (P = 0.133), and overall survival did not differ significantly from that for patients with para-aortic LN metastasis (P = 0.562).

CONCLUSION

The N staging of AJCC8 was valid. Clinicians should regard N2b as similar to distant LN metastasis, and more intensive adjuvant therapy may be indicated for this group.

Does Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Change the Role of Regional Lymphadenectomy in Pancreatic Cancer Survival?

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of lymph node (LN) dissection and staging in outcomes of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS

National Cancer Database was queried for patients with stages I to III PDAC diagnosed between 2004 and 2014. Overall survival (OS) was derived from Kaplan-Meier methods, and Cox-regression model was used to evaluate associations between the number of LN examined, number of positive nodes, and LN ratio with OS.

RESULTS

A total 35,599 patients were included, 3395 (9%) underwent NAC, 19,865 (56%) received adjuvant chemotherapy (AC), and 12,299 (35%) underwent surgery alone. Cox-regression showed superior OS in NAC compared with AC and surgery alone (26 vs 23 vs 14 months, P < 0.001). Minimum number of LN examined affecting OS was 8 LNs in NAC (23.8 vs 26.6 months, P = 0.029), and 12 LNs in AC group (22 vs 23.1 months, P = 0.028). Lymph node ratio cutoff of greater than 0.2 was associated with decreased OS (19.4 vs 24.4 months, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved survival in PDAC. Lymph node yield remains a significant prognostic factor after NAC, whereas the minimum number of harvested LNs associated with sufficient staging and survival is decreased.

Microvascular invasion is a major prognostic factor after pancreatico-duodenectomy for adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Microvascular invasion (MVI) has been proved to be poor prognostic factor in many cancers. To date, only one study published highlights the relationship between this factor and the natural history of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of MVI, on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), after pancreatico-duodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. Secondarily, we aim to demonstrate that MVI is the most important factor to predict OS after surgery compared with resection margin (RM) and lymph node (LN) status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2015 and December 2017, 158 PD were performed in two hepato-bilio-pancreatic (HBP) centers. Among these, only 79 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the study. Clinical-pathological data and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed from a prospectively maintained database.

RESULTS

Of the 79 patients in the cohort, MVI was identified in 35 (44.3%). In univariate analysis, MVI (P = .012 and P < .0001), RM (P = .023 and P = .021), and LN status (P < .0001 and P = .0001) were significantly associated with DFS and OS. A less than 1 mm margin clearance did not influence relapse (P = .72) or long-term survival (P = .48). LN ratio > 0.226 had a negative impact on OS (P = .044). In multivariate analysis, MVI and RM persisted as independent prognostic factors of DFS (P = .0075 and P = .0098, respectively) and OS (P < .0001 and P = .0194, respectively). Using the likelihood ratio test, MVI was identified as the best fit to predict OS after PD for ductal adenocarcinomas compared with the margin status model (R0 vs R1) (P = .0014).

CONCLUSION

The MVI represents another major prognostic factor determining long-term outcomes.

Use of Machine-Learning Algorithms in Intensified Preoperative Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer to Predict Individual Risk of Relapse

Background: Although surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic cancer (PC), long-term outcomes of this treatment remain poor. The aim of this study is to describe the feasibility of a neoadjuvant treatment with induction polychemotherapy (IPCT) followed by chemoradiation (CRT) in resectable PC, and to develop a machine-learning algorithm to predict risk of relapse. Methods: Forty patients with resectable PC treated in our institution with IPCT (based on mFOLFOXIRI, GEMOX or GEMOXEL) followed by CRT (50 Gy and concurrent Capecitabine) were retrospectively analyzed. Additionally, clinical, pathological and analytical data were collected in order to perform a 2-year relapse-risk predictive population model using machine-learning techniques. Results: A R0 resection was achieved in 90% of the patients. After a median follow-up of 33.5 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 18 months and median overall survival (OS) was 39 months. The 3 and 5-year actuarial PFS were 43.8% and 32.3%, respectively. The 3 and 5-year actuarial OS were 51.5% and 34.8%, respectively. Forty-percent of grade 3-4 IPCT toxicity, and 29.7% of grade 3 CRT toxicity were reported. Considering the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, the number of resected lymph nodes, the presence of perineural invasion and the surgical margin status, a logistic regression algorithm predicted the individual 2-year relapse-risk with an accuracy of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–0.84, p = 0.005). The model-predicted outcome matched 64% of the observed outcomes in an external dataset. Conclusion: An intensified multimodal neoadjuvant approach (IPCT + CRT) in resectable PC is feasible, with an encouraging long-term outcome. Machine-learning algorithms might be a useful tool to predict individual risk of relapse. A small sample size and therapy heterogeneity remain as potential limitations.

Clinical Implications of Extensive Lymph Node Metastases for Resected Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Outcomes of patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) and extensive lymph node metastases have not been fully characterized.

METHODS

A total of 637 patients underwent resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) between 2002 and 2014 at the Thomas Jefferson University. Positive lymph node count (LNC) and positive lymph node ratio (LNR) were analyzed as predictors of cancer-specific outcomes, with a focus on outcomes of patients with extensive lymph node burden.

RESULTS

Resected patients with regional lymph node metastases had a median survival of 17.1 months (n = 425, 70%) compared with 25.5 months (n = 185, 30%) for patients without lymph node spread (N0) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.9, p < 0.001). Overall survival decremented with increased lymph node spread, but plateaued for LNC ≥ 4 (HR 2.4 vs. N0, p < 0.001) and LNR ≥ 0.4 (HR 2.2, p < 0.001). Compared with historical cohorts with macroscopic metastatic disease, as opposed to microscopic, superior long-term survival was achieved in patients with extensive lymph node metastases (LNC ≥ 4); 24- and 36-month survivals were 25% (vs. 16%, p < 0.001) and 12% (vs. 6%, p < 0.001), respectively. Extensive lymph node burden was associated with increased baseline postoperative serum CA 19-9 (p = 0.044) and systemic recurrence (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognostic impact of extensive lymph node spread after resection for PDA plateaus above a specific threshold (LNC ≥ 4 or LNR ≥ 0.4), supporting the new 8th edition AJCC criteria for N2 disease. Clinically, lymph node spread above this threshold seems to correlate with occult systemic disease (elevated postoperative CA 19-9 and systemic pattern of failure).

Postoperative serum CA19-9, CEA and CA125 predicts the response to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy following radical resection in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prediction of benefits from adjuvant chemoradiotherapy by postoperative serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA.

METHODS

The relations between benefits from adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and levels of postoperative serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA were investigated in 804 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients who received radical resection.

RESULTS

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was an independent factor for late recurrence [12.2 vs. 8.5 months, P = 0.001 for recurrence free survival (RFS)] and long survival [23.7 vs. 17.0 months, P < 0.001 for overall survival (OS)] in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Postoperative serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA were independent risk predictors for poor surgical outcome in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (P < 0.001 for all). Adjuvant chemradiotherapy (hazard ratio: 0.359, 95% confidence interval: 0.253-0.510, P < 0.001 for OS; hazard ratio: 0.522, 95% confidence interval: 0.387-0.705, P < 0.001 for RFS) were confirmed to improve the surgical outcome in patients with abnormal levels of any one of the three postoperative markers, but not in patients with normal levels of the three postoperative markers. In the subgroup of patients with negative lymph node, its improvement of surgical outcome was also significant in patients with abnormal levels of any one of postoperative serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA (hazard ratio: 0.412, 95% confidence interval: 0.244-0.698, P = 0.001 for OS; hazard ratio: 0.546, 95% confidence interval: 0.352-0.847, P = 0.007 for RFS).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA could serve as predictors of response for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy even if the status of lymph nodes is negative.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Accurate Lymph Node Staging and Preoperative Detection in Resected Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

The current (seventh edition) American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) dichotomizes pathologic lymph node (LN) involvement into absence (pN0) or presence (pN1) of disease. The recently announced eighth edition also includes stratification on the number of positive nodes. Furthermore, LNs detected on preoperative imaging (CT, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound-EUS) are considered to be pathologically involved in other gastrointestinal cancers. However, this is less well defined for PDAC. Therefore, the three aims of this study were to determine (1) whether the new AJCC staging system led to more accurate staging, (2) the number of nodes needed to be examined to detect pathologic involvement, and (3) if pN disease could be reliably detected on preoperative imaging in PDAC.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients undergoing pancreatectomy at a single US academic center from January 1990 to September 2015. Pathology reports of resected specimens were reviewed to determine the total number of LNs examined and those positive for metastasis. CT, MRI, and/or EUS reports were used to determine the presence or absence of preoperatively detectable LN enlargement.

RESULTS

Of the 490 surgical resections for PDAC, pN1 disease was detected in 59.4% (n = 291) and was positively correlated with the number of LNs pathologically examined (P < 0.001). Patients with pN1 disease had a shorter overall survival (OS) than those without nodal involvement (25.1 vs. 44.0 months; P < 0.001); however, OS was not different when stratifying by the number of nodes as on the eighth AJCC system. Pathologic examination of > 20 LNs in treatment naïve patients was optimal to detect pN1 disease and predict longer OS for those without nodal involvement (median survival > 41.1 months, P = 0.03 when compared to < 15 or 15-19 LNs examined). LNs were detected by CT, MRI, or EUS in 30.7% (103/335) of patients. The positive predictive value (PPV) of preoperative LN detection for pathologic involvement was 77.3% for treatment naïve patients and 84.2% for those without biliary obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the LN scoring in the seventh PDAC AJCC Staging System was sufficient to predict OS of our patients, more LNs than previously considered (20 vs. 15) were optimal to detect pathologic involvement. Preoperative LN detection was an accurate predictor of pN1 disease for treatment naïve patients without biliary obstruction.

Predictive Effect of the Total Number of Examined Lymph Nodes on N Staging and Survival in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

OBJECTIVES

We aim to examine the predictive effect of the total number of examined lymph nodes on N stage and survival in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) and to determine the optimal threshold.

METHODS

A pNENs data set from 2004 to 2013 was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify predictive factors associated with N stage and survival, respectively.

RESULTS

Totally, 1280 pNENs were analyzed. The 11 to 15 lymph nodes examined showed a strong association with the N1 stage (6-10 vs 11-15: odds ratio, 0.672; P = 0.042; 11-15 vs 16-20: odds ratio, 1.049; P = 0.840). However, it failed to show any survival benefit in pNENs with or without lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Examining at least 11 lymph nodes may be useful to accurately classify the N stage for pNENs.

The number of positive lymph node is a better predictor of survival than the lymph node metastasis status for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The recently released AJCC TNM staging system of pancreatic adenocarcinoma has endorsed the number of positive lymph node(NPLN) as the criterion of N staging. However, the prognostic role of NPLN is still unclear for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs).

METHODS

Patients underwent resection and at least one lymph node examined were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared by log-rank test. The prognostic factors were determined by cox proportional regression model.

RESULTS

Totally, 1,269 pNENs were included in the present study. The increasing NPLN (NPLN > 3) was corresponding significantly (P < 0.05) shorter OS and DSS in both entire cohort (OS: NPLN ≤ 3 vs. NPLN > 3, 93.624 ± 1.765 months vs. 75.075 ± 4.005 months; DSS: NPLN ≤ 3 vs. NPLN > 3, 104.829 ± 1.455 months vs. 85.443 ± 3.938 months, respectively) and cohort with the number of examined lymph node more than 11 (OS: NPLN ≤ 3 vs. NPLN > 3, 88.759 ± 2.756 months vs. 73.664 ± 4.700 months; DSS: NPLN ≤ 3 vs. NPLN > 3, 99.021 ± 2.212 months vs. 85.139 ± 4.686 months, respectively). Furthermore, the multivariate analysis showed the NPLN > 3 rather than lymph node status was the independent prognostic factors for OS and DSS in these two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

The NPLN seems more meaningful than the lymph node metastasis status as prognostic factor for survival. Taking into account the prognostic value of NPLN for pNENs might improve the current TNM staging systems. However, prospective study is needed to demonstrate our findings.

Outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy and lymph node resection in elderly patients with pancreatic cancer treated with surgery and chemotherapy

Background

We sought to determine the effects of post-operative radiation therapy (PORT) and lymph node resection (LNR) on survival in patients ≥70 years with pancreatic cancer treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

Methods

An analysis of patients ≥70 years with surgically resected pancreatic cancer who received chemotherapy from the SEER database between 2004-2008 was performed to determine association of PORT and LNR on survival.

Results

We identified 961 patients who met inclusion criteria. There was a trend towards increased survival associated with PORT in all patients (P=0.052) and N1 patients (P=0.060) but no benefit in N0 patients (P=0.161). There was no difference in OS based on number of lymph nodes removed in all (P=0.741), N0 (P=0.588), and N1 (P=0.070) patients. MVA for all patients revealed that higher T stage, N1, and high grade tumors were prognostic for increased mortality, while there was decreased mortality with PORT and mild benefit with increased lymph nodes resected (P=0.084).

Conclusions

PORT demonstrated no benefit in survival of pancreatic cancer patients ≥70 who are resected and treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Future investigation will need to address age as a stratification factor for pancreatic cancer in the adjuvant setting.

Lymph node ratio, but not the total number of examined lymph nodes or lymph node metastasis, is a predictor of overall survival for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms after surgical resection

Aim

To evaluate the prognostic significance of lymph node metastasis, extent of examined lymph nodes (ELNs) and lymph node ratio (LNR) for resected pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs).

Materials and Methods

Surgically resected pNENs were assimilated from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the prognostic effect of clinicopathological characteristics on overall survival; Harrell's concordance index was performed to assess the prognostic accuracy of all independent prognostic factors; and the Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the correlation between LNR and other clinicopathological characteristics.

Results

Totally, 1,273 pathologically confirmed pNENs were included in our study. The extent of ELNs failed to show any survival benefit in entire cohort (ELNs ≤ 12 vs. ELNs > 12, P = 0.072) or pNENs without lymph node metastasis (ELNs ≤ 28 vs. ELNs > 28, P = 0.108). Lymph node metastasis and LNR > 0.40 were significantly (both P < 0.001) adverse prognostic factors of overall survival. However, only LNR > 0.40 was the independent predictor of survival after adjusted for other clinicopathological characteristics. Besides LNR, the age, gender, primary tumor site, grade and stage also were the independent predictors of overall survival; and this survival model had an acceptable predictive power (Harrell's concordance index, 0.731).

Conclusions

The current study suggested that the LNR, not the total number of ELNs and the lymph node metastasis, is an independent prognostic indicator of overall survival for pNENs after surgical resection.

Institutional variants for lymph node counts after pancreatic resections

BACKGROUND

Lymph node (LN) counts from pancreatectomy are postulated as quality metric for surgical therapy of pancreatic malignancy.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from a single surgeon's pancreatectomy experience were analyzed for predictors of LN counts.

RESULTS

Of 315 consecutive patients (54% female, median age: 65, range 18-88), 239 had a proven cancer diagnosis (76%). Operations included pancreatoduodenectomy (69%), distal pancreatectomy (26%), total pancreatectomy (1%) and others (4%). Patients were treated in 4 different tertiary cancer center settings (Institution A: 11%; B: 46%; C: 27%; D: 16%) with consistent regional dissection standards. Mean total LN counts differed between institutions for malignancies (A: 18, B: 13, C: 26, D: 26, p < 0.0001) and benign diseases (p = 0.003). At least 15 LNs were reported in 63% of cancer patients (institution range: 34-92%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologic processing should be standardized if LN numbers are to be adopted as quality metric for pancreatic cancer resections.

The More the Better-Lower Rate of Stage Migration and Better Survival in Patients With Retrieval of 20 or More Regional Lymph Nodes in Pancreatic Cancer: A Population-Based Propensity Score Matched and Trend SEER Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of regional lymph node (RLN) retrieval on stage migration and survival in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

A total of 7685 stage I and II pancreatic cancer patients were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database in 2004-2011. The impact of RLN was assessed using Cox regression, propensity score methods, and joinpoint regression.

RESULTS

In 3079 patients, 1 to 10 RLNs were retrieved; in 2799 patients, 11 to 19 RLNs, and in 1807 patients, 20+ RLNs. The rate of node-positive pancreatic cancer increased with the number of retrieved RLN. This trend continued beyond 10 retrieved RLN (P < 0.001). In unadjusted analysis, retrieval of RLN did not influence survival (P = 0.178). When adjusting for significant bias in staging variables (P < 0.001), retrieval of 20+ RLNs compared to 11 to 19 RLNs was associated with an increased survival in node-negative (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.98; P = 0.033) and node-positive cancer (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.93; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based propensity score-adjusted investigation demonstrated that more retrieved RLNs in pancreatic cancer decreases the rate of stage migration and improves the oncological outcome in node-negative and positive cancer. Contradictory results may be explained by a bias in the cancer characteristics for a different extent of RLN retrieval.

Identifying key outcome metrics in pancreatic surgery, and how to optimally achieve them

BACKGROUND

Indicators of effectiveness and quality of care are of greatest importance in gauging the direct benefit of a new surgical technique, such as minimally-invasive pancreatic resections, when being compared with established approaches.

METHODS

Current expert opinion on minimally-invasive pancreatic resection (MIPR) was presented at the first MIPR state of the art conference during 12th world congress of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.

RESULTS

Studies exploring outcome of the minimally-invasive approach, alone or compared with open surgery, should consider all the necessary indicators of quality ensuring a high level of clinical care. Such studies should be implemented in a context that guarantees the correct indication for surgery, lower mortality rates, a low burden of post-operative morbidity through early recognition of adverse events and prevention of predictable complications, high standards of oncological "radicality", prompt recovery with access to adjuvant therapy as soon as possible, and reduction of health-care related costs.

DISCUSSION

Only by integrating MIPR with the outcome-improving effect of a dedicated pancreatic team will it be possible to assess more precisely the putative benefits of this minimally-invasive approach.

Staging of pancreatic cancer based on the number of positive lymph nodes

BACKGROUND

The International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery has stated that at least 12 lymph nodes should be evaluated for staging of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this population-based study was to evaluate whether the number of positive lymph nodes refines staging.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pancreatectomy for stage I-II pancreatic cancer between 2004 and 2012 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The predictive value of the number of positive lymph nodes for survival was assessed by generalized receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and propensity score-adjusted Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Some 5036 patients were included, with a median of 18 (i.q.r. 15-24) lymph nodes examined. Positive lymph nodes were found in 3555 patients (70·6 per cent). The median duration of follow-up was 15 (i.q.r. 8-28) months. ROC curve analysis revealed that two positive lymph nodes best discriminated overall survival. Patients with one or two positive lymph nodes (pN1a) and those with three or more positive lymph nodes (pN1b) had an increased risk of overall mortality compared with patients who were node-negative (pN0): hazard ratio (HR) 1·47 (95 per cent c.i. 1·33 to 1·64) and HR 2·01 (1·82 to 2·22) respectively. These findings were confirmed by propensity score-adjusted Cox regression analysis. The 5-year overall survival rates were 39·8 (95 per cent c.i. 36·5 to 43·3) per cent for patients with pN0, 21·0 (18·6 to 23·6) per cent for those with pN1a and 11·4 (9·9 to 13·3) per cent for patients with pN1b disease.

CONCLUSION

The number of positive lymph nodes in the resection specimen is a prognostic factor in patients with pancreatic cancer.

A systematic review of the prognostic value of lymph node ratio, number of positive nodes and total nodes examined in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common pancreatic cancer. Five-year overall survival is currently 3.3-6.0%. The aim of this review was to evaluate the prognostic value of lymph node ratio, number of positive nodes and total nodes examined on overall survival rate following pancreatic resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was conducted of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review databases, from January 1996 to January 2016. RESULTS Overall, 19 studies including 4,883 patients examined the relationship between lymph node ratio and overall survival. A high lymph node ratio was associated with decreased overall survival in 17 studies. A total of 12 studies examined the relationship between the number of positive nodes and overall survival, and 11 studies revealed that an increase in the number of positive nodes was associated with decreased overall survival. In 15 studies examining the relationship between the total nodes examined and overall survival, there was no association with overall survival in 12 studies. CONCLUSIONS Lymph node ratio and number of positive nodes are factors associated with overall survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but not total nodes examined.

Number of evaluated lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes, lymph node ratio, and log odds evaluation in early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: numerology or valid indicators of patient outcome?

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the prognostic significance and universal validity of the total number of evaluated lymph nodes (ELN), number of positive lymph nodes (PLN), lymph node ratio (LNR), and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in a relatively large and homogenous cohort of surgically treated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients.

METHODS

Prospectively accrued data were retrospectively analyzed for 282 PDAC patients who had pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) at our institution. Long-term survival was analyzed according to the ELN, PLN, LNR, and LODDS.

RESULTS

Of these patients, 168 patients (59.5 %) had LN metastasis (N1). Mean ELN and PLN were 13.5 and 1.6, respectively. LN positivity correlated with a greater number of evaluated lymph nodes; positive lymph nodes were identified in 61.4 % of the patients with ELN ≥ 13 compared with 44.9 % of the patients with ELN < 13 (p = 0.014). Median overall survival (OS) and 5-year OS rate were higher in N0 than in N1 patients, 22.4 vs. 18.7 months and 35 vs. 11 %, respectively (p = 0.008). Mean LNR was 0.12; 91 patients (54.1 %) had LNR < 0.3. Among the N1 patients, median OS was comparable in those with LNR ≥ 0.3 vs. LNR < 0.3 (16.7 vs. 14.1 months, p = 0.950). Neither LODDS nor various ELN and PLN cutoff values provided more discriminative information within the group of N1 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirms that lymph node positivity strongly reflects PDAC biology and thus patient outcome. While a higher number of evaluated lymph nodes may provide a more accurate nodal staging, it does not have any prognostic value among N1 patients. Similarly, PLN, LNR, and LODDS had limited prognostic relevance.

Prognostic Significance of Nodal Ratio in Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy After Curative Resection for Ampullary Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the outcome of patients with ampullary cancer who had undergone curative surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and to identify the prognostic factors for these patients

METHODS

: Between January 1991 and August 2006, 71 patients with ampullary cancer underwent curative resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. There were 38 males and 33 females, and median age was 56 years (range, 28 to 77 y). Postoperative radiotherapy was delivered to tumor bed and regional lymph nodes up to 40 to 50 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction; 67 patients also received intravenous 5-fluorouracil as a radiosensitizer. Median follow-up duration was 72 months for survivors.

RESULTS

There were 5 isolated locoregional recurrences, 20 isolated distant metastases, and 11 combined locoregional and distant relapses. The 5-year locoregional relapse-free and overall survival rates were 76.2% and 64.5%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, nodal ratio and histologic differentiation were significant prognostic factors for overall survival (P=0.0382 and 0.0331, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy after curative resection can achieve a long-term survival rate in patients with ampullary cancer. Nodal ratio and histologic differentiation are independent prognostic factors for these patients.

Identification of an N staging system that predicts oncologic outcome in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer

In this study, we investigated which N staging system was the most accurate at predicting survival in pancreatic cancer patients.Lymph node (LN) metastasis is known to be one of the important prognostic factors in resected pancreatic cancer. There are several LN evaluation systems to predict oncologic impact.From January 1992 to December 2014, 77 medical records of patients who underwent radical pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathologic variables including pN stage, total number of retrieved LNs (N-RLN), lymph node ratio (LNR), and absolute number of LN metastases (N-LNmet) were evaluated. Disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were analyzed according to these 4 LN staging systems.In univariate analysis, pN stage (pN0 vs pN1: 17.5 months vs 7.9 months, P = 0.001), LNR (<0.08 vs ≥0.08: 17.5 months vs 4.4 months, P < 0.001), and N-LNmet (#N = 0 vs #N = 1 vs #N≥2: 17.5 months vs 11.0 months vs 6.4 months, P = 0.002) had a significant effect on DFS, whereas the pN stage (pN0 vs pN1: 35.3 months vs 16.7 months, P = 0.001), LNR (<0.08 vs ≥0.08: 37.1 months vs 15.0 months, P < 0.001), and N-LNmet (#N = 0 vs #N = 1 vs #N≥2: 35.3 months vs 18.4 months vs 16.4 months, P = 0.001) had a significant effect on DSS. In multivariate analysis, N-LNmet (#N≥2) was identified as an independent prognostic factor of oncologic outcome (DFS and DSS: Exp (β) = 2.83, P = 0.001, and Exp (β) = 3.17, P = 0.001, respectively).Absolute number of lymph node metastases predicted oncologic outcome in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer patients.

Substaging of Lymph Node Status in Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Has Strong Prognostic Correlations: Proposal for a Revised N Classification for TNM Staging

BACKGROUND

The current tumor-node-metastasis staging system for the pancreas does not incorporate the number of lymph nodes (LNs) with metastasis.

METHODS

Among 1649 pancreaticoduodenectomies, 227 stringently defined pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) that had undergone a specific approach of LN harvesting were analyzed for the prognostic value of LN substaging protocols used for other gastrointestinal (GI) organs.

RESULTS

The median number of LNs harvested was 18, and the median number of LNs with metastasis was 3. Lymph node metastasis was detected in 175 cases (77 %). The number of LNs involved correlated significantly with clinical outcome. When cases were substaged with the protocol already in use for the upper GI organs (N0: no metastasis, N1: metastasis to 1-2 LNs; N2: metastasis to ≥3 LNs), the median overall survival times were 35, 21, and 18 months, and the respective 3-year survival rates were 46, 34, and 20 % (p = 0.004). Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database also confirmed the survival differences between these substages (median overall survival times of 23, 15, and 14 months and respective 3-year survival rates of 37, 22, and 18 %; p < 0.0001). The substaging protocol for the lower GI organs (N0: no metastasis; N1: metastasis to 1-3 LNs; N2: metastasis to ≥4 LNs) also was significant, with median overall survival times of 35, 21, 18 months and respective 3-year survival rates of 46, 26, and 23 %; p = 0.009). The association between higher N stage and shorter survival persisted with multivariate modeling for both protocols, although the prognostic value of the upper GI protocol appeared to be slightly stronger according to the Akaike Information Criterion method.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, with proper LN harvesting, the LN metastasis rate in PDACs is very high (77 %). Substaging of LN metastasis has significant prognostic value and needs to be considered in the N staging of PDACs. The protocol already in use for other upper GI tract organs, which currently also is proven significant for ampulla, would be preferable, although the lower GI tract protocol also is applicable.

Extent of lymphadenectomy to associate with pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with pancreatic head cancer for better tumor staging

OBJECTIVES

To define the extent of lymphadenectomy to associate with surgery for pancreatic head cancer.

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy fails to prolong patient survival.

METHODS

Prospective randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials (RCTs and NRCTs), meta-analyses, retrospective reviews, consensus conferences and pre- and intraoperative diagnoses of lymph node (LN) metastases were retrieved. Standard and extended lymphadenectomies were reviewed, including their effects on postoperative complications, mortality rate and long-term survival. The minimum total number of LN examined (TNLE) for adequate tumor staging, and the incidence of metastasis to each LN station were also considered. A pros and cons analysis was performed on the removal of each LN station.

RESULTS

Eleven retrospective studies (2514 patients), five prospective NRCTs (545 patients), and five prospective RCTs (586 patients) described different lymphadenectomies, which obtained similar long-term results. Five meta-analyses showed they did not influence long-term survival. However, N status is an important component of tumor staging. The recommended minimum TNLE is 15. The percent incidence of metastasis to each LN station was calculated considering at least 385 and up to 3725 patients. Preoperative imaging and intraoperative exploration frequently fail to identify metastatic nodes. A pros and cons analysis suggests that lymph node status is better established removing the following LN stations: 6, 8a-p, 12a-b-c, 13a-b, 14a-b-c-d, 16b1, 17a-b. Metastasis to 16b1 LNs significantly worsens prognosis. Their removal and frozen section examination, before proceeding with resection, may contraindicate resection.

CONCLUSION

A standard lymphadenectomy demands an adequate TNLE and removal of the LN stations metastasizing more frequently, without increasing the surgical risk.