Use of expandable metallic biliary stents in resectable pancreatic cancer

AIM: To compare the efficacy of metal versus plastic stents for biliary strictures in patients with surgically resectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: The medical records at MD Anderson Caner Center from September 2001 to May 2004 were reviewed. Fifty-five patients were identified to have either a metal biliary stent (13 patients, group A) or a plastic biliary stent (42 patients, group B) and subsequently went to surgery. These two groups were compared with regards to number of stents placed prior to surgery, time period between the last stent and surgery, and operative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients in group A, 12 had pancreaticoduodenectomy performed and one had exploration only due to the peritoneal metastatses discovered at the time of surgery. Of the 12 patients with pancreaticoduodenectomy, 10 had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 1 intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, and 1 ampullary cancer. Only 2 patients required an additional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after initial metal stent placement until surgery. The average time between last stent placement and surgery was 106.5 days. Of the 42 patients in group B, 35 had pancreaticoduodenectomy and 7 had either palliative surgery or exploration due to metastatic diseases discovered at the time of surgery. Of the 35 patients, 27 had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 5 ampullary cancer, 1 neuroendocrine tumor, 1 microcystic adenoma, and 1 autoimmune pancreatitis. Sixteen patients (38%) in group B required 3 or more ERCPs with plastic stents prior to surgery. The average time between last stent placement and surgery was 56.4 days. Preoperative chemoradiation was given to all 13 patients in group A and 31 of 42 patients in group B. There were no stent-related intra- or postoperative complications in both groups. Two of 13 patients (15%) with metal stents versus 39 of 42 patients (93%) with plastic stents, however, developed either cholangitis or cholestasis due to stent occlusion while waiting for surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the belief that metal stents are contraindicated for patients with surgically resectable pancreatic cancer, our study demonstrated that metal stents provided a longer patency rate, fewer ERCP sessions, and fewer episodes of cholangitis without adding any intra- or postoperative complications. Therefore, metal stents should be considered for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, especially if surgery is not immediately planned as more patients are now receiving preoperative chemoradiation.     

Do preoperative pancreatic stents increase operative morbidity for chronic pancreatitis?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies suggest that preoperative placement of bile duct stents increases morbidity after pancreatic surgery. The influence of pancreatic duct stenting on outcome after pancreatic surgery is unknown. METHODOLOGY: The records of 264 consecutive patients who underwent lateral pancreaticojejunostomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, or distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 137 patients who received preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stents. The remainder underwent preoperative ERCP without stent placement. Both groups had a similar stage of disease measured by endoscopic, clinical, and histological findings. The overall postoperative morbidity was higher in the stent group (19.7% vs. 42.3%, p<0.001, odds ratio 3.0). Intra-abdominal complications occurred more frequently in the stent group (10.2% vs. 32.8%, p<0.001), including a difference in pancreatic leaks. There was no difference in extra-abdominal complications (10.2% vs. 13.1%) and mortality (1.6% vs. 1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo pancreatic duct stenting and require surgical drainage at a later point have a threefold increased risk for peri-operative complications. An increase in intra-abdominal complications might be related to stent associated pancreatic duct injuries, stent occlusion, and bacterial colonization of the stent.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy following chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess oncological outcomes in patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy for advanced pancreatic head adenocarcinoma after preoperative chemoradiotherapy and to compare these with outcomes in patients treated with surgery alone.Methods: From 2004 to 2009, patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma were included in a retrospective comparative study. Patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT group) and were compared with those treated with surgery alone (SURG group).Results: A total of 111 patients were included; these comprised 72 patients in the SURG group and 39 patients in the CRT group. The median follow-up was 21 months. Patients in the CRT group presented with a more advanced tumoral status. Microscopic resection rates were similar in both groups, but nodal status and vascular or lymphatic emboli were lower in the CRT group. At 3 years, the SURG and CRT groups exhibited similar overall (36% and 51%, respectively) and disease-free (35% and 37%, respectively) survival (P = 0.10).Conclusions: In patients with advanced pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, a good response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy results in a survival rate similar to that in patients treated with surgery alone in whom the initial prognosis is better.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection for patients with pancreatic cancer with venous invasion

BACKGROUND: With the development of new surgical techniques, pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) with portal vein or superior mesenteric vein(PV/SMV) resection has been used in the treatment of patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. However, opinions of surgeons differ in the effectiveness of this surgical technique. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of this approach in patients with pancreatic cancer.METHODS: Follow-up visits and retrospective analysis were carried out of 208 patients with pancreatic cancer who had undergone PD(PD group) and PD combined with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction(PDVR group) from June 2009 to May 2013 at our center. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the clinical features, the difference of survival time and risk factors of venous invasion in pancreatic cancer.Factors relating to postoperative survival time of pancreatic cancer were also investigated. RESULTS: In the PDVR group, which consisted of 42 cases, the 1-,2- and 3-year survival rates were 70%, 41% and 16%, respectively and the median survival time was 20.0 months. Among the 166 patients in the PD group, the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 80%, 52%, and 12%, respectively with the median survival time of 26.0 months. No significant difference in survival time and R0 resection ratio was found between the two groups. Lumbodorsal pain, tumor with pancreatic capsular invasion and bile duct infiltration were found to be independent risk factors for PV invasion in pancreatic cancer. In addition, non R0 resection,large tumor size(2 cm) and poorly differentiated tumor were independent risk factors for survival time in post-PD.CONCLUSIONS: The tumor has a higher chance of venous invasion if preoperative imagings indicate that it juxtaposes with the vessel. Lumbodorsal pain is the chief complaint. Patients with pancreatic cancer associated with PV involvement should receive PDVR for R0 resection when preoperational assessment shows the chance for eradication.     

Arterial and vena caval resections combined with pancreaticoduodenectomy in highly selected patients with periampullary malignancies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To obtain a margin-negative resection and increase the indication for resection of periampullary malignancies, pancreaticoduodenectomy with a SM-PVR (superior mesenterico-portal vein resection) has been performed. However, an arterial resection, other vascular resections except SM-PVR (e.g., an inferior vena caval resection), or a metastatic tumor resection combined with pancreaticoduodenectomy has yet to be fully elucidated because of the high risk of postoperative complications and extremely poor long-term survival in patients undergoing these exceptional procedures. The present report focused on highly selected patients undergoing an arterial resection or a vena caval resection associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODOLOGY: Besides 31 patients with periampullary tumors undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy associated with SM-PVR in our department, a group of 4 patients underwent arterial resections and another patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with a resection of liver metastasis together with an inferior vena caval resection. These five patients were reported in the present study. RESULTS: A 27 year-old-woman presented pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head and a liver metastasis in which involvements of the superior mesenterico-portal vein and the inferior vena cava were shown. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed with SM-PVR associated with a left hemihepatectomy combined with a segment 1 resection and an inferior vena caval resection. The patient did not present severe postoperative complications and experienced a good quality of life during 16 months after surgery. Four other patients underwent arterial resections. These arterial resections were performed only when a margin-negative resection was feasible. The superior mesenteric artery was resected and reconstructed with a Goretex graft in one patient. The right hepatic artery was resected and reconstructed with a saphenous graft in two patients. The other patient underwent a resection of the common hepatic artery and reconstruction was performed with the splenic artery. Three of the four patients presented postoperative complications but were conservatively treated. Two patients are still alive 25 months and 8 months after surgery. One patient died of sepsis 5 months after surgery, and the other died of cancer progression 19 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The indication for retropancreatic arterial resection associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy should be carefully evaluated only when a margin-negative resection can be achieved. An appropriate bypass method of arterial reconstruction should be selected because a direct end-to-end anastomosis is not always feasible. Hepatectomy for metastases of pancreatic ductal carcinoma should be also regarded as an exceptional procedure.     

A clinical trial to evaluate the worth of preoperative multimodality therapy in patients with operable carcinoma of the rectum

PURPOSE: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Protocol R-03 was designed to determine the worth of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the management of operable rectal cancer. METHODS: Thus far, 116 patients of an eventual 900 with primary operable rectal cancer have been randomized to receive multimodality therapy to begin preoperatively (59 patients) or identical therapy beginning after curative surgery (57). All patients received seven cycles of 5-fluorouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV) chemotherapy. Cycles 1 and 4 through 7 used a high-dose weekly FU regimen. In Cycles 2 and 3, FU and low-dose LV chemotherapy was given during the first and fifth week of radiation therapy (5,040 cGy). The preoperative arm (Group 1) received the first three cycles of chemotherapy and all radiation therapy before surgery. The postoperative arm (Group 2) received all radiation and chemotherapy after surgery. Primary study end points included disease-free survival and survival. Secondary end points included local recurrence, primary tumor response to combination therapy, tumor downstaging, and sphincter preservation. RESULTS: Overall treatment-related toxicity was similar in both groups. Although seven preoperative patients had events after randomization that precluded surgery, eight events occurred during an equivalent follow-up period in the postoperative group. No patient was deemed inoperable because of progressive local disease. Sphincter-saving surgery was intended in 31 percent of Group 1 patients and 33 percent of Group 2 patients at the time of randomization. Such surgery was actually performed in 50 percent of the preoperatively treated patients and 33 percent of the postoperatively treated patients. The use of protective colostomy in patients undergoing sphincter-sparing surgery and the development of perioperative complications in all surgical patients were similar in both groups. There was evidence of tumor downstaging in evaluable patients under-going preoperative therapy, with 8 percent of Group 1 patients having had a pathologic complete response. CONCLUSION: These data do suggest that the preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimen used are, at least, as safe and tolerable as standard postoperative treatment. There is presently a trend to tumor downstaging and sphincter preservation in the preoperative arm. Whether this arm will have greater or lesser survival and long-term toxicity awaits the completion of this relevant study.Supported by National Cancer Institute Grants U10-CA-12027 and U10-CA-37377 and American Cancer Society Grant R-13.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Seattle, Washington, June 9 to 14, 1996.     

Impact of preoperative chemoradiotherapy on survival in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

AIM:To explore whether preoperative chemoradiation therapy improves survival of patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing resectional surgery. METHODS:Forty-seven patients with a malignant pancreatic tumor localized in the head or uncinate process of the pancreas underwent radical pancreaticoduodenectomy. Twenty-two received chemoradiation therapy (gemcitabine and radiation dose 50.4 Gy) before surgery (CRR) and 25 patients underwent surgery only (RO). The study was non-randomised. Patients were identified from a prospective database. RESULTS:The median survival time was 30.2 mo in the CRR group and 35.9 mo in the RO group. No statistically significant differences were found in subclasses according to lymph node involvement,TNM stages,tumor size,or perineural invasion. The one,three and five year survival rates were 81%,33% and 33%,respectively,in the CRR group and 72%,47% and 23%,respectively,in the RO group. In ductal adenocarcinoma,the median survival time was 27 mo in the CRR group and 20 mo in the RO group. No statistically significant differences were found in the above subclasses. The one,three and five year survival rates were 79%,21% and 21%,respectively,in the CRR group and 64%,50% and 14%,respectively,in the RO group. The overall hospital mortality rate was 2%. The morbidity rate was 45% in the CRR group and 32% (NS) in the RO group. CONCLUSION:Major multicenter randomized studies are needed to conclusively assess the impact of neoadjuvant treatment in the management of pancreatic cancer.     

Improvement of surgical and survival outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy : A Chinese experience

ObjectiveTo analyze our experience and the surgical and survival outcomes of patients with pancreatic carcinoma who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) by analysis of a retrospective cohort of 205 patients over a 10 years period.MethodsThe patients were categorized into two 5-year periods: period 1, from 2000 January 1 to 2004 December 31(group 1, n = 48) and period 2, from 2005 January 1 to 2009 December 31(group 2, n = 157). We analysis the data using statistical software and find the improvement of surgical and survival outcomes of PD for pancreatic cancer in the past 10 years.ResultsThe two groups have similar age, sex distribution, comorbidity, preoperative serum tumor markers, patients number of preoperative biliary drainage and postoperative chemotherapy. More patients in group 2 underwent lymph nodes dissection (P = 0.031). And patients of group 2 had a better surgical outcomes and longer 5-year overall survival (8% vs. 19%, P = 0.036). The blood loss volume, transfusion volume, and the number of patients need blood transfusion were significantly fewer (P < 0.001) for the patients in group 2, however, the operation time was obviously lengthened (P = 0.002). Patients in Group 1 suffered more postoperative complications than those of the patients in group 2 (P = 0.021). A significant difference was reached for survival between the two group (P = 0.036).ConclusionsA significant improvement of surgical and survival outcomes after PD for pancreatic cancer patients was achieved in the past 10 years. PD remains the only treatment option that potentially provides a cure for pancreatic head cancer, and postoperative chemotherapy may produce survival benefit.     

Complications and chemotherapy have little impact on postoperative quality of life after pancreaticoduodenectomy – a cohort study

BackgroundWith the poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer and the high rate of postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy, it is important to evaluate how the operation affects patients’ quality of life.MethodsThis single-centre study included all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy from 2006 to 2016. Quality of life was measured with two questionnaires preoperatively, and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Comparisons between groups were made using a linear mixed models analysis.ResultsOf 279 patients planned for pancreaticoduodenectomy, 245 underwent the operation. The postoperative response rates were all 80% or more. Differences were found in one domain between the early and late time periods and three domains between patients receiving and not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. No significant differences were found between patients with and without severe postoperative complications. However, the demographic variables of age group, sex, preoperative diabetes and smoking all exerted a significant impact on postoperative quality of life.ConclusionWhile little or no impact was shown for the factors of postoperative complications, time period and adjuvant chemotherapy, demographic data, such as age, sex, preoperative diabetes and smoking, had considerable impacts on postoperative quality of life after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

年龄对老年人结直肠癌手术后临床预后的影响

目的 探讨年龄对老年人结直肠癌手术治疗后临床结局的影响.方法 回顾性总结我院1999年1月至2007年12月结直肠癌手术患者的临床资料1249例,根据年龄分为研究组(≥75岁,312例)和对照组(<75岁,937例).结果 (1)研究组的平均年龄明显高于对照组(t=33.09,P<0.05),具有营养不良风险的比例、并存其他疾病的比例、近端结肠肿瘤的比例、区域淋巴结转移的比例明显高于对照组(χ2值分别为47.33、130.75、21.24、45.33,均P<0.05);(2)研究组术前外科并发症的发生率、肠梗阻的发生率、急诊手术的比例明显高于对照组(χ2值分别为26.81、34.14、10.72,均P<0.05),研究组的手术切除率明显低于对照组(χ2=9.732,P<0.05);(3)研究组术后总并发症的发生率、一般并发症的发牛率和围手术期病死率明显高于对照组(χ2值分别为19.38、20.75、10.11,均P<0.05);(4)研究组2年生存率和5年生存率明显低于对照组(χ2值分别为11.91、27.17,均P<0.05);但研究组2年肿瘤特异生存率和5年瘤特异生存率与对照组的差异无统计学意义.结论 术前并存疾病、术前外科并发症、肿瘤的局部转移和术后非外科并发症影响老年人结直肠癌术后的临床结局.     

进展期胃癌术前冲击化疗联合术中腹腔内温热化疗疗效观察

目的观察术前短程冲击化疗联合术中即时腹腔内温热灌注化疗治疗进展期胃癌的临床疗效。方法136例进展期胃癌随机分术前短程冲击化疗联合术中腹腔内温热灌注化疗组（治疗1组）、术前短程冲击化疗组（治疗2组）和单纯手术组（对照组），比较三组患者的手术并发症发生率和术后长期生存率。结果治疗1组的3a生存率为88．1％，明显高于治疗2组（68．1％）和对照组（42．6％）（P〈0．05），治疗1组2a内无复发，治疗2组、对照组复发率为17．0％、38．3％，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论进展期胃癌术前短程冲击化疗联合术中即时腹腔内温热灌注化疗能提高患者生存率，延缓肿瘤复发。     

Phase-II randomized study of preoperative IL-2 administration in radically operable gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgery has appeared to induce lymphocytopenia and this decrease in host defenses during postoperative period could promote both the proliferation of possible micrometastases and the implantation of surgically disseminated tumor cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the preoperative subcutaneous injection of IL-2 (interleukin-2) may be able to abrogate surgery-induced immunosuppression in radically operable gastric cancer and to assess its toxicity. METHODOLOGY: This phase II study included 39 consecutive patients with histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma (M/F 26/13; mean age 68; range 48-82) who underwent radical surgery from October 1999 to December 2000. Patients were randomized to be treated with surgery alone as controls (20 patients) or surgery plus preoperative treatment with recombinant human IL-2 (19 patients). IL-2 was administered subcutaneously, at a dose of 9,000,000 IU, for three consecutive days, followed by surgery within 36 hours from IL-2 withdrawal. We considered the total lymphocyte count and lymphocyte subset (CD4, CD4/CD8) during the preoperative period, before IL-2 administration, and on the 14th and 50th day. RESULTS: Two groups were well matched for type of surgery and extent of disease. All the patients underwent radical surgery plus D2 lymphadenectomy. At baseline, there were no significant differences in total lymphocyte and lymphocyte subsets between groups. The control group showed a significant decrease of total lymphocytes, CD4 cells, and CD4/CD8 ratio at the 14th postoperative day relative to the baseline value. Among the 22 patients evaluated in the control group 13 had a decreased of CD4 under 500 cells/mm3 (65%). Instead in the IL-2 group a significant increase was observed over the control group values of total lymphocytes and CD4 cells (14th ly total and CD4: IL-2 vs. control p<0.05). Moreover in this group only 3 patients had CD4 under 500 cells/mm3 (15%). This difference in CD4 count, is significant at the 50th postoperative day too (p=0.006). No anesthesiologic or surgical complication was seen in IL-2 treated group, with low grade of toxicity (WHO grade:1): the main effect was fever (14/19) easily manageable, with no cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, IL-2 group showed lower postoperative complications (p<0.05) and higher lymphocyte/eosinophil infiltration into the tumor (p<0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This phase II study would suggest that a preoperative immunotherapy with IL-2 is a well tolerated treatment able to prevent surgery induced lymphocytopenia. IL-2 seems to neutralize the immunosuppression induced by operation and so to stimulate the host reaction against tumor tissue (lymphocytes/eosinophils infiltration). Next randomized clinical trials could investigate the prognostic impact of IL-2 on the clinical course.     

Does preoperative biliary stenting affect the outcome of pancreatico-duodenectomy?

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists whether preoperative endoscopic biliary stenting to reduce serum bilirubin level affects the outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy. AIM: To determine whether preoperative endoscopic biliary stenting is associated with altered morbidity or mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: In 37 consecutive patients with periampullary lesion undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy over a 6-year period, frequency of septic complications, occurrence of pancreatic leak or bleeding, duration of hospital stay, and mortality were studied; of these, 15 had preoperative biliary stenting and 22 had not. RESULTS: Postoperative infective complications occurred more often in the patients with biliary stent than in those without (26% vs 0%, p=0.04). Postoperative recovery time, hospital stay and mortality were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative biliary stenting is associated with septic complications, but this does not affect postoperative recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Prophylactic irrigation around a pancreaticojejunostomy for the treatment of a pancreatic fistula after a pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with a risky pancreatic remnant

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postoperative morbidity after a pancreaticoduodenectomy remains high mainly due to pancreatic fistula, but effective methods to prevent the development of pancreatic fistula have yet to be established. The present study prospectively investigated whether postoperative prophylactic irrigation around the pancreaticojejunostomy might be able to prevent eventual pancreatic fistula and infectious complications after a pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHOD: Among 75 patients undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2003 and 2005, 50 patients in whom the drain amylase level on postoperative day 1 were 1,500 IU/L or more were selected for the present study. Twenty-six of the 50 patients underwent postoperative prophylactic 72-hour continuous irrigation around the pancreaticojejunostomy starting from postoperative day 1 (Irrigation group). On the other hand, 24 of them did not undergo such irrigation (Non-irrigation group). The incidence of pancreatic fistula, infectious complications, delayed gastric emptying, and the length of hospital stay were then compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The incidences of pancreatic fistula, wound infection, drain infection, sepsis, delayed gastric emptying, overall morbidity, and length of hospital stay were found to be significantly less in the irrigation group than in the non-irrigation group. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic irrigation may possibly be able to prevent the occurrence of pancreatic fistula and infectious complications after a pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with a risky pancreatic remnant.     

The effect of preoperative blood transfusion on morbidity and survival in colorectal malignancy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is believed that blood transfusions adversely affect colorectal cancer surgery. However, intra- and postoperative blood transfusions represent urgent interventions, and immeasurable confounding factors may affect the shortand long-term outcome. Therefore, we compared colorectal cancer patients who had received preoperative blood transfusion with patients who did not receive transfusions with regard to postoperative complications and long-term outcome. METHODS: The records of 333 patients who were operated for colorectal malignancy between 1980 and 1995 were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (18.3%) received preoperative blood transfusions. Wound infection rate was higher (14.2% vs 1.9%) in the no-transfusion group. Disease-free survival was not different between the groups (p=0.134). Cumulative survival was adversely affected in the preoperative transfusion group (p=0.012). However, preoperative blood transfusion did not emerge to be an independent factor for wound infection or for death on follow-up when the confounding factors were corrected. CONCLUSION: Preoperative transfusion during surgery for colorectal malignancy does not result in an increase in postoperative complications, long-term failure or death rates.     

Correlation of postoperative survival and angiogenic growth factors in pancreatic carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and EGF (epidermal growth factor) are promoters of angiogenesis. It was the aim of this study to investigate a possible coexpression of both growth factors in tumor samples of pancreatic cancer patients in relation to survival after resection of the tumor. METHODOLOGY: We investigated the expression of VEGF165 and EGF in tumor specimen from 19 patients that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Growth factor expression was determined using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Coexpression of VEGF165 and EGF was observed in tumor samples of 9 (47%) patients. VEGF165 and EGF expression in the same tumor correlates significantly (P < 0.05, Fisher-test). UICC stage III pancreatic carcinoma patients with VEGF165 negative tumor cells had a significantly better outcome after surgery compared to UICC stage III patients with VEGF165-positive tumor cells (median survival time 19 months vs. 9 months respectively; P < 0.05, Wilcoxon-test). CONCLUSIONS: Antiangiogenic therapy after surgery for pancreatic cancer may be beneficial, especially for UICC III patients.     

Respiratory function after esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postoperative respiratory hypofunction sometime ruins quality of life of patients with esophageal cancer. From 1993, we introduced transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy as a less invasive surgery to prevent postoperative respiratory complications for patients who have relatively early stage of esophageal cancer and have preoperative respiratory complication, or who are older in age. In this study, postoperative long-term evaluation of respiratory functions of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy was performed. METHODOLOGY: Among the patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital between 1993 and 1995, we selected 13 patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy (transhiatal group) and 9 patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy (transthoracic group). Conventional respiratory function tests (VC, vital capacity; FVC, forced vital capacity; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FEV1/FVC, ratio of FEV1 to FVC; PEF, peak expiratory flow) were compared between the two groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. RESULTS: In the transhiatal group, postoperative average values of VC, FVC, and FEV1 recovered 92%, 98%, and 93% of preoperative average values at 6 months after operation, while in the transthoracic group, the average values of VC, FVC, and FEV1 were still 78%, 78%, and 72% of preoperative average values at 6 months after operation. Postoperative respiratory complications were detected in 4 patients (transhiatal: 2 and transthoracic: 2). The recovery rates of VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEF at 6 months after operation of these 4 patients were not different from those of 18 patients without postoperative respiratory complications. CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated with transthoracic esophagectomy, postoperative respiratory hypofunctions continued over 6 months after surgery. However, postoperative respiratory complications may not be related with the long-term postoperative respiratory hypofunction in patients with esophageal cancer.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for metastatic ampullary and pancreatic tumors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To report the clinical presentation, diagnosis and results of aggressive surgical management in patients with metastatic ampullary and pancreatic tumors. METHODOLOGY: Twelve patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary or pancreatic metastases from January 1, 1987, to June 30, 1998, in 2 institutions. The primary cancer was renal cell carcinoma (n = 5), melanoma (n = 2), venous leiomyosarcoma (n = 1), carcinoid tumor (n = 1), colon carcinoma (n = 1), breast carcinoma (n = 1) and small-cell lung carcinoma (n = 1). The mean interval between primary treatment and metachronous pancreatic metastasis was 88 months. In 3 cases, pancreatic metastases were synchronous with the primary tumor. The main symptoms were jaundice (n = 8) and upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding (n = 2). The principal investigations were computed tomography scan (n = 9), arteriography (n = 7), duodenoscopy (n = 6) and fine-needle aspiration (n = 4). A correct preoperative diagnosis was made for 8 patients. RESULTS: In all cases, the pancreatic tumor was resected with intention to cure or provide useful palliation, using pancreaticoduodenectomy for isolated tumors (n = 11) or total pancreatectomy for multiple lesions (n = 1). Three out of 12 patents had positive lymph nodes, and the resection margin was free of disease in all cases. There was no postoperative mortality. Survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy averaged 26 months. Overall survival of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy was 35% at 2 years and 17% at 5 years. One patient is still alive more than 10 years after pancreaticoduodenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely, representing a suitable option for resection in patients with symptomatic or late isolated pancreatic metastases in the absence of widely metastatic disease. The best indications are solitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma, sarcoma and neuroendocrine tumors. However, there is no evidence of survival benefit after pancreaticoduodenectomy for synchronous tumors or metachronous tumors from melanoma or colon carcinoma.     

Complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that preoperative biliary drainage increases the risk of infectious complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess complications related to biliary stents/drains and postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for periampullary cancer. PATIENTS: One hundred and eighty-four patients with periampullary neoplasms were prospectively selected for neoadjuvant external beam radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy between 1995 and 2002. METHODS: The data were retrospectively completed and analysed with respect to biliary drainage, efficacy and complications of endoscopic biliary stents and postoperative morbidity. Patients who had undergone a surgical biliary bypass were excluded. RESULTS: Data were completed in 168 patients. One hundred and nineteen patients were treated with endoscopic biliary stents, 18 patients had a percutaneous biliary drain and 31 patients did not require biliary drainage. Hospitalisation for stent-related complications was necessary in 15% of the patients with endoscopic biliary stents. Seventy-two patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. There was no significant difference in the rate of wound infections, intra-abdominal abscesses and overall complications between the groups with and without preoperative biliary drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative infectious complications are common in patients both with and without preoperative biliary drainage. A statistically significant difference in complication rates was not observed between these groups.     

Preoperative IL-2 immunotherapy enhances tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), recognized as a tumor-host reaction, have been linked to prognosis in various tumors, with a clear positive correlation between the density of the lymphoid infiltrate at the advancing margin of the tumor and the prognosis of the patients. TILs are somewhat activated by tumor associated antigens and by IL-2 endogenous release. The aim of this study is to verify if subcutaneously administered IL-2 is able to enhance TILs in gastric cancer patients and is able to influence the prognosis of the patients. METHODOLOGY: We enrolled 39 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Patients were randomized to be treated with surgery alone (control group, 20 patients) or with surgery plus preoperative IL-2 (Interleukin-2) administration (treated group, 19 patients). Total lymphocytes, CD4 and CD4/CD8 were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. Peritumoral stromal reaction, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils infiltration in tumor histology were evaluated as well as survival curves and compared between the groups. RESULTS: IL-2 treatment was safe and well tolerated, and in the IL-2 treated group a significant increase over the baseline pretreatment values of the total lymphocyte, CD4 and CD4/CD8 on both the 14th and 50th postoperative days was observed (p < 0.05). Peritumoral stromal reaction, neutrophils and eosinophils infiltration did not shown any statistical difference between the two groups. Otherwise we observed a statistically significant difference in the peri- and intratumoral lymphocytes infiltration between IL-2 treated and control patients (p = 0.000026). Median overall and disease-free survivals were longer, even if not significantly, in the IL-2 group than in the control arm (p = 0.089 and p = 0.09 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our data shows that IL-2 seems to be able to induce substantial changes in the inflammatory infiltration of the neoplasm, improving the host activity toward the tumor and enhancing the TILs phenomenon in gastric cancer patients. This feature seems to improve the prognosis of the patients.