Clinicopathological Features of 30 Autopsy Cases of Pancreatic Carcinoma

Incidence, risk factors and the prognostic role of thromboembolic events (TEEs) amongst patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD): a retrospective, single-center analysis

Background

Thromboembolic events (TEEs) are frequent among patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). We set out to estimate the incidence and establish predictive risk factors for TEE and estimate the impact of TEEs on the overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic PAAD.

Methods

This is a retrospective, single-center study. We included patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of PAAD with distant metastases treated at AC Camargo Cancer Center from 2016 to 2021. We used the competitive risk survival models to estimate the cumulative incidence of TEE. Risk factors for the development of TEEs were evaluated using the competitive risk and logistic regression models. The impact of TEEs on OS was assessed using both landmark and time-dependent covariate Cox survival analyses.

Results

The study population consists of 199 patients. The cumulative incidence of TEEs in 1, 6 and 24 months were 10.1%, 19.3% and 30.2%, respectively. Log10(CA 19-9) was the only factor independently associated with increased risk of TEEs in the logistic regression (Odds ratio = 1.03; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.00-1.06; p = 0.030) and competitive risk survival (Subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.14; 95%CI, 1.02-1.27; p = 0.019) models. In the landmark analysis, early TEEs (within 1 month of diagnosis) were not associated with inferior OS. In the time-dependent covariate Cox proportional hazard model, TEEs were not found to be statistically associated with inferior OS, although there was a trend towards it (Hazard ratio = 1.59; 95%CI, 0.99-2.54; p = 0.051).

Conclusion

TEEs occur in a large fraction of patients with metastatic PAAD. Statistical models with higher predictive performance are currently needed. For the time being, consideration for prophylactic anticoagulation should be done on an individual basis.

Involvement of the Gut Microbiome in the Local and Systemic Immune Response to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

The systemic and local immunosuppression exhibited by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) contributes significantly to its aggressive nature. There is a need for a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind this profound immune evasion, which makes it one of the most challenging malignancies to treat and thus one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. The gut microbiome is now thought to be the largest immune organ in the body and has been shown to play an important role in multiple immune-mediated diseases. By summarizing the current literature, this review examines the mechanisms by which the gut microbiome may modulate the immune response to PDAC. Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome can alter immune cell populations both in the peripheral blood and within the tumour itself in PDAC patients. In addition, evidence suggests that the gut microbiome influences the composition of the PDAC tumour microbiome, which exerts a local effect on PDAC tumour immune infiltration. Put together, this promotes the gut microbiome as a promising route for future therapies to improve immune responses in PDAC patients.

Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency and the Gut Microbiome in Pancreatic Cancer: A Target for Future Diagnostic Tests and Therapies?

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is common amongst pancreatic cancer patients and is associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is known to improve outcomes in pancreatic cancer, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this narrative literature review is to summarise the current evidence linking PEI with microbiome dysbiosis, assess how microbiome composition may be impacted by PERT treatment, and look towards possible future diagnostic and therapeutic targets in this area. Early evidence in the literature reveals that there are complex mechanisms by which pancreatic secretions modulate the gut microbiome, so when these are disturbed, as in PEI, gut microbiome dysbiosis occurs. PERT has been shown to return the gut microbiome towards normal, so called rebiosis, in animal studies. Gut microbiome dysbiosis has multiple downstream effects in pancreatic cancer such as modulation of the immune response and the response to chemotherapeutic agents. It therefore represents a possible future target for future therapies. In conclusion, it is likely that the gut microbiome of pancreatic cancer patients with PEI exhibits dysbiosis and that this may potentially be reversible with PERT. However, further human studies are required to determine if this is indeed the case.

Resection of isolated liver oligometastatic disease in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Is there a survival benefit? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Presence of liver metastatic disease in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), either synchronous or metachronous after pancreatic resection, is a terminal diagnosis that warrants management with palliative intent as per all international practice guidelines. However, there is an increasing interest on any potential value of surgical treatment of isolated oligometastatic disease in selected cases.

AIM

To present the published evidence on surgical management of PDAC liver metastases, synchronous and metachronous, and compare the outcomes of these treatments to the current standard of care.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines to compare the outcomes of both synchronous and metachronous liver metastases resection to standard care.

RESULTS

356 studies were identified, 31 studies underwent full-text review and of these 10 were suitable for inclusion. When synchronous resection of liver metastases was compared to standard care, most studies did not demonstrate a survival benefit with the exception of one study that utilised neoadjuvant treatment. However, resection of metachronous disease appeared to confer a survival advantage when compared to treatment with chemotherapy alone.

CONCLUSION

A survival benefit may exist in resection of selected cases of metachronous liver oligometastatic PDAC disease, after disease biology has been tested with time and systemic treatment. Any survival benefit is less clear in synchronous cases; however an approach with neoadjuvant treatment and consideration of resection in some selected cases may confer some benefit. Future studies should focus on pathways for selection of cases that may benefit from an aggressive approach.

Surgical resection for liver recurrence after curative resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of surgical resection for liver recurrence in patients with curatively resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The medical records of patients with a liver recurrence after undergoing curative pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological and prognostic factors were analyzed, as was the clinical impact of surgical resection for liver recurrence.

RESULTS

Overall, 502 patients underwent curative pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resection. Of the 311 patients with recurrence after curative pancreatectomy, 71 (23%) had an initial recurrence in the liver, with 35 having solitary recurrence (11%). Patients with solitary, two or three, or more than four recurrences had median overall survival times of 28.5, 18.0, and 12.2 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Surgical indications for liver recurrence in our institution included solitary tumor, good disease control under chemotherapy after recurrence for > 6 months, and sufficient remnant liver function. Ten patients who met our institutional policy inclusion criteria underwent liver resection. Among 35 patients with initially solitary liver recurrence, those who underwent liver resection outlived those who did not (57.6 months vs. 20.1 months, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis of overall survival, solitary liver recurrence and liver resection were independent favorable prognostic factors in patients with initial liver recurrence.

CONCLUSION

In selected patients with solitary liver recurrence after curatively resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, liver resection may be a treatment option.

Intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus and multifocal liver metastasis: An autopsy case

The prognosis of intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm is superior to that of conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Only a few advanced cases of intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma (IPMC) have been reported to date. We herein report the case of a 78-year-old male patient with advanced pancreatobiliary type IPMC with portal vein invasion and liver metastasis. The IPMC invaded the portal vein to form a tumor thrombus and it also metastasized to the liver via the portal vein. After receiving best supportive care, the patient succumbed to the disease following an exacerbation of IPMC 90 days after the initial presentation. On autopsy, a very long tumor thrombus was identified, along with liver metastatic lesions, which had retained the structure of the primary IPMC on histological examination.

Metachronous hepatic resection for liver only pancreatic metastases

BACKGROUND

The value of liver resection (LR) for metachronous pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastases remains controversial. However, in light of increasing safety of liver resections, surgery might be a valuable option for metastasized PDAC in selected patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, multicenter study including patients undergoing hepatectomy for metachronous PDAC liver metastases between 2004 and 2015 to analyze postoperative outcome and overall survival. All patients were operated with curative intent. Patients with oligometastatic metachronous liver metastasis with definitive chemotherapy (n = 8) served as controls.

RESULTS

Overall 25 patients in seven centers were included in this study. The median age at the time of LR was 63.8 years (56.9-69.9) and the median number of metastases in the liver was 1 (IQR 1-2). There were eight non-anatomical resections (32%), 15 anatomical minor (60%) and 2 major LR (8%). Postoperative complications occurred in eleven patients (eight Clavien-Dindo grade I complications (32%) and three grade IIIa complications (12%), respectively). The 30-day mortality was 0%. The median length of stay was 8.6 days (IQR 5-11). Median overall survival following LR was 36.8 months compared to 9.2 months in patients with metachronous liver metastasis with chemotherapy (p = 0007).

DISCUSSION

Liver resection for metachronous PDAC metastasis is safe and feasible in selected patients. To address general applicability and to find factors for patient selection, larger trials are urgently warranted.

Cystic gastric metastasis from pancreatic cancer

Gastrointestinal tract metastasis from pancreatic cancer is quite rare. We present the case of a 58-year-old male patient who underwent distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic body cancer 5 years prior. Four years after the initial operation, a 15-mm cystic submucosal tumor was found in the antrum of the stomach. Because the tumor had grown to 25 mm and the level of carcinoembryonic antigen in the cystic fluid derived by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was high, partial resection of the stomach was performed 5 years after the distal pancreatectomy. Pathological diagnosis was gastric metastasis of pancreatic cancer. The patient has been alive without recurrence for 13 months after the resection of the cystic tumor. We are not aware of any similar cases of cystic gastric metastasis from pancreatic cancer published in the English literature.

[Interstitial lung disease and pancreatic cancer: Series of two cases]

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer is often not diagnosed until at a metastatic stage at which point the prognosis is very poor. Pulmonary metastases are pleomorphic, often present at the time of diagnosis and can lead to the discovery of an asymptomatic primary disease.

CASE REPORT

We describe two cases aged 60 and 74 years, where imaging identified what was thought to be an interstitial lung disease but which was actually metastasis from pancreatic cancer. In the first case, CT showed multiple excavated pulmonary nodules but the presentation with medullary compression led rapidly to pathological diagnosis on bone lesions. In the second patient, a history of rheumatoid arthritis and the lack of abdominal symptoms led to an initial search for disease related to the rheumatoid disease. Histopathology, from lung and bone biopsies, enabled a correct diagnosis to be achieved.

CONCLUSION

Where atypical interstitial lung disease occurs, biopsy should be considered in order not to delay a diagnosis of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer.

Impact of Portal Vein Involvement from Pancreatic Cancer on Metastatic Pattern After Surgical Resection

BACKGROUND

The present study aims to evaluate the long-term outcome and metastatic pattern of patients who underwent resection of a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with portal or superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) resection.

METHODS

Patients who underwent a partial pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy for PDAC between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Three subgroups were generated, depending on PV/SMV resection (P⁺) and pathohistological PV/SMV tumor infiltration (I⁺): P⁺I⁺, P⁺I^-, and P^-I^-. Statistical analysis was performed using the R software package.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 179 patients, 113 of whom underwent simultaneous PV/SMV resection. Thirty-six patients (31.9 %) had pathohistological tumor infiltration of the PV/SMV (P⁺I⁺), and were matched with 66 cases without PV/SMV infiltration (P^-I^-). The study revealed differences in overall median survival (11.9 [P⁺I⁺] vs. 16.1 [P⁺I^-] vs. 20.1 [P^-I^-] months; p = 0.01). Multivariate survival analysis identified true invasion of the PV/SMV as the only significant, negative prognostic factor (p = 0.01). Whereas the incidence of local recurrence was comparable (p = 0.96), the proportion of patients with distant metastasis showed significant differences (75 % [P⁺I⁺] vs. 45.8 % [P⁺I^-] vs. 54.7 % [P^-I^-], p = 0.01). Furthermore, the median time to progression was significantly shorter if the PV/SMV was involved (7.4 months [P⁺I⁺] vs. 10.9 months [P⁺I^-] vs. 11.6 months [P^-I^-]). Initial liver metastases occurred in 33 % of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

True invasion of the PV/SMV is an independent risk factor for overall survival, and is associated with a higher incidence of distant metastasis and shorter progressive-free survival. Radical vascular resection cannot compensate for aggressive tumor biology.

Hematogenous Gastric Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer

While the gastric involvement of pancreatic cancer is occasionally observed as the result of direct invasion, hematogenous gastric metastasis is rare. A 72-year-old Japanese male presented with general fatigue, pollakiuria, and thirst. Computed tomography revealed a 4.6-cm solid mass in the pancreatic tail and a 4.2-cm multilocular cystic mass in the pancreatic head with multiple liver and lymphatic metastasis. Notably, two solid masses were detected in the gastric wall of the upper body and the antrum; both were separated from the primary pancreatic cancer and seemed to be located in the submucosal layer. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor with a normal mucosa in the posterior wall of the upper body of the stomach, suggesting the gastric hematogenous metastasis of pancreatic cancer. The suspected diagnosis was unresectable pancreatic cancer with multiple metastases that was concomitant with the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Clinicopathological Features of 15 Occult and 178 Clinical Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas in 8339 Autopsied Elderly Patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinicopathological features of pancreatic cancer at different stages using autopsy results.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 8399 consecutive cases of autopsy performed between 1972 and 2013 at our geriatric hospital.

RESULTS

Macroscopic pancreatic lesions were detected in 6.13% of the cases. Primary and secondary pancreatic tumors were observed in 2.88% and 2.10% of the cases, respectively. Most primary tumors were invasive ductal adenocarcinomas (193 cases [2.31%]; mean patient age, 78.09 years) with a peak incidence at 50 to 59 years. Occult invasive ductal adenocarcinoma was discovered incidentally in 15 cases, with distant metastasis present in 26.67% of those. Microscopically, occult and advanced tumors exhibited similar characteristics such as hyalinized fibrous stroma, necrosis, invasion into vessels, peripancreatic fat tissues, and extrapancreatic nerve plexus. Mucin 1 and 2 immunohistochemical expression levels were also similar. Occult cancer incidence increased with age. Patients aged 85 years or older had shorter survival, a small tumor size, and a low incidence of lymph node metastasis. Approximately 8% of pancreatic invasive ductal adenocarcinomas progressed asymptomatically and were discovered incidentally at autopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancers in elderly patients tend to progress asymptomatically, but once symptoms develop, they are more often fatal than those in younger patients.

Pearls and pitfalls of imaging metastatic disease from pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a systematic review

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a systemic disease due to the presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and local recurrence as well as distant metastatic disease after treatment in a majority of patients. Recognition of these metastatic sites may help in accurate staging and assessment of therapeutic response. The authors discuss and illustrate imaging findings of metastatic disease from pancreatic adenocarcinoma in different organ systems with emphasis on entities that can mimic metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Desmoplasia in Primary Tumors and Metastatic Lesions of Pancreatic Cancer

PURPOSE

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by high levels of fibrosis, termed desmoplasia, which is thought to hamper the efficacy of therapeutics treating PDAC. Our primary focus was to evaluate differences in the extent of desmoplasia in primary tumors and metastatic lesions. As metastatic burden is a primary cause for mortality in PDAC, the extent of desmoplasia in metastases may help to determine whether desmoplasia targeting therapeutics will benefit patients with late-stage, metastatic disease.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We sought to assess desmoplasia in metastatic lesions of PDAC and compare it with that of primary tumors. Fifty-three patients' primaries and 57 patients' metastases were stained using IHC staining techniques.

RESULTS

We observed a significant negative correlation between patient survival and extracellular matrix deposition in primary tumors. Kaplan-Meier curves for collagen I showed median survival of 14.6 months in low collagen patients, and 6.4 months in high-level patients (log rank, P < 0.05). Low-level hyaluronan patients displayed median survival times of 24.3 months as compared with 9.3 months in high-level patients (log rank, P < 0.05). Our analysis also indicated that extracellular matrix components, such as collagen and hyaluronan, are found in high levels in both primary tumors and metastatic lesions. The difference in the level of desmoplasia between primary tumors and metastatic lesions was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that both primary tumors and metastases of PDAC have highly fibrotic stroma. Thus, stromal targeting agents have the potential to benefit PDAC patients, even those with metastatic disease.