Percutaneous palliation of unresectable pancreatic cancer

Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Carcinoma of the Pancreas

Aims and background

Pancreatic resections for neoplastic diseases have a high risk of severe intra- and postoperative complications and are associated with high mortality rates. They should be performed as a rule in centers specializing in this type of surgery. However, it is becoming increasingly likely that such tumors may have to be treated in surgery units which are not specifically dedicated to pancreatic surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the improvements in clinical results in a non-specialized general surgery setting in the light of the most recent progress in surgical techniques, drug treatments and nutritional support.

Methods and study design

We analyzed 48 patients with pancreatic cancer treated in our institution over the period from 1980 to 1998: 36 had cancer of the head of the pancreas, 5 of the ampulla, 1 in the second duodenal portion, and 6 of the body-tail. The operations performed consisted of 13 Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomies with cutting and stapling of the distal pancreatic stump at the level of the isthmus, 4 left pancreasectomies, 2 local resections of the ampulla, 21 palliative operations, and 2 exploratory laparotomies.

Results and conclusions

The patients were submitted to follow-up including clinical examinations, blood-chemistry tests, and instrumental investigations. The mean survival was 18 months in the cases where radical surgery was performed, compared to 11 months after palliative surgery. We conclude that an improved prognosis can obtain after pancreatic resection. This is attributable to a more accurate preoperative staging and to the aid of the various forms of nutritional support and pharmacological prophylaxis currently available.

Current Status of Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage in Palliation of Malignant Obstructive Jaundice: A Review

Malignancies leading to obstructive jaundice present too late to perform surgery with a curative intent. Due to inexorably progressing hyperbilirubinemia with its consequent deleterious effects, drainage needs to established even in advanced cases. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are widely used palliative procedures each with its own merits and lacunae. With the current state-of-the-art PTBD technique consequent upon procedural and hardware improvement, it is equaling ERCP regarding technical success and complications. In addition, there is a reduction in immediate procedure-related mortality with proven survival benefit. Nonetheless, it is the only imminent lifesaving procedure in cholangitis and sepsis.

Endoscopic stent placement in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction

Biliary drainage with biliary stent placement is the treatment of choice for palliation in patients with malignant biliary obstruction caused by unresectable neoplasms. In such patients, the endoscopic approach can be initially used with percutaneous radiological intervention. In patients with unresectable malignant distal bile duct obstructions, endoscopic biliary drainage with biliary stent placement has now become the main and least invasive palliative modality, which has been proven to be more effective in >80% of cases with lower morbidity than surgery, and perhaps may provide a survival benefit. In patients with unresectable malignant hilar obstruction, the endoscopic approach for biliary drainage with biliary stent placement has also been considered as the treatment of choice. There is still a lack of clear consensus on the use of covered versus uncovered metal stents in malignant distal bile duct obstructions and plastic versus metal stents and unilateral versus bilateral drainage in malignant hilar obstructions.

Palliation in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is rarely curable, and because of its location causes significant symptoms for patients in need of palliation. The common problems of incurable pancreatic cancer are biliary obstruction, duodenal obstruction, and pain. Approaches include surgical, endoscopic and radiologic interventions. This article discusses the palliative options and controversies related to these symptoms.

Percutaneous drainage and stenting for palliation of malignant bile duct obstruction

Percutaneous biliary drainage and stenting (PTBD) for palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice has evolved to a safe and effective technique. PTBD is equally effective for treatment of distal and proximal bile obstruction. Metal self-expandable stents have proved superior to plastic stents and should therefore be used. Technical success is >90% en clinical success is >75% in all major series. There are a considerable number of complications, but most can be treated conservatively and procedure-related mortality is <2% in most series. Thirty-day mortality after PTBD is >10% in many series, but this is largely due to the underlying disease. About 10-30% of patients will have recurrent jaundice at some point in their disease after PTBD and require re-intervention.

Surgical management of proximal bile duct cancer: extended right lobe resection increases resectability and radicality

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection provides the only chance of cure for patients suffering from hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Although appropriate procedures are not agreed upon, an increase in radicality has been observed during the past 20 years.

METHODS

The literature as well as our own experience after 133 resections of hilar cholangiocarcinomas were reviewed.

RESULTS

Tumor-free margins represent the most important prognostic parameter. Hilar resections as least radical resective procedure will generate rates of formally curative resections of less than 50%. Even after these formally curative resections, long-term survival cannot be achieved. Only additional liver resections will increase the number of long-term survivors to significant figures. In our series, the best 5-year survival rate of 72% was achieved after right trisegmentectomy with concomitant resection of the portal vein bifurcation.

CONCLUSION

Right trisegmentectomy and combined portal vein resection represent the best way to comply with basic rules of surgical oncology for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. This procedure will provide the most pronounced benefit among various types of liver resection, whereas local resections of the extrahepatic bile duct must be considered as an oncologically inefficient procedure.

[Does neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy augment the resectability of pancreatic cancers?]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Pre-operative radiochemotherapy is the most recent therapeutic option in the pre-operative downstaging of pancreatic cancer and in decreasing the rate of positive resection margins. The purpose of the study was to evaluate tolerance and efficacy of pre-operative radiochemotherapy in unresectable pancreatic cancers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included seven cases of pancreatic cancer considered unresectable. The patients received preoperatively 50 grays within a 5-week period associated with 5 FU and Platin during the 1st and 5th weeks.

RESULTS

After radiochemotherapy, tomodensitometric evaluation showed a minor response in two cases. A pancreatico-duodenectomy could be performed in these two patients without any increase of pre- or post-operative morbidity or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest that preoperative radiochemotherapy may increase pancreatic cancer resectability. This hypothesis should be confirmed by a prospective randomised trial.