Survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Aim. To access overall and event-free survival rates in patients after surgical treatment of localized and locally spread pancreatic head cancer. Materials and methods. A single center observational trial was conducted at a low-volume pancreatic surgery center in Khanty-Mansiysk. Data were collected retrospectively from 2007 to 2019. Patients with resectable tumors were included into the study whose final histology showed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and en-bloc resection. According to the technical facilities and actual clinical protocols all patients received surgical treatment only and were then monitored. Data on progression patterns and survival rates were collected and calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results. Median overall survival (OS) after R0 pancreaticoduodenectomy was 16,8 months (IQR 10,9-23,5). Median progression-free survival was 10,6 mo. (IQR 8,0-20,7). OS in jaundiced patients was 4,9 mo. shorter than in patients without jaundice at the diagnosis (р = 0,011). Patients with serum bilirubin level < 100 μmol/l lived on average 7.2 months longer (p = 0.014). Most frequent sites of primary progression were liver and peritoneum, lungs, bones, lymph nodes of the abdominal cavity / retroperitoneal space, less often metastases were found in the skin and soft tissues. In 21.4% of cases metastases were found in several organs simultaneously with most frequent combination of liver and peritoneum, liver and lungs, lungs and bones. The median survival after progression was 7.1 ± 4.8 months Conclusion. Pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma has a high potential for progression and has therefore poor prognosis. To improve long-term outcomes, it is advisable to apply additional therapeutic options perioperatively.