Regional infusion chemotherapy of hepatic metastases from carcinoma of the colon

The effects of hepatic intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (5-FUDR) in fifty-one consecutive patients with hepatic metastases from carcinoma of the colon were studied. An objective response was recognized in 57 per cent by decreased hepatic size, 61 per cent by improved hepatic scan, 59 per cent by improved biochemical hepatic function tests, and 39 per cent by improved angiograms. These categories of objective response were not always interrelated. Thus, on the basis of at least one objective response and symptomatic improvement, a clinical response rate of 71 per cent was achieved.Patients with a clinical response had a median survival of sixteen months; nonresponders had a median survival of five months. Factors related to response rate and prolonged survival were young age, absence of ascites, presence of jaundice, and less extensive involvement of the liver. The presence of extrahepatic intra-abdominal metastases did not affect the response rate or survival time, indicating the controlling effect of the hepatic metastases. These response rates are substantially higher than those reported with systemic chemotherapy and indicate that regional chemotherapy of hepatic metastases from carcinoma of the large bowel should be more widely studied and adopted.     

Comparison of resection and radiofrequency ablation for treatment of solitary colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND: Liver resection is the treatment of choice for patients with solitary colorectal liver metastases. In recent years, however, radiofrequency ablation has been used increasingly in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases. In the absence of randomized clinical trials, this study aimed to compare outcome in patients with solitary colorectal liver metastases treated by surgery or by radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: Solitary colorectal liver metastases were treated by radiofrequency destruction in 25 patients. The indications were extrahepatic disease in seven, vessel contiguity in nine and co-morbidity in nine patients. Outcome was compared with that of 20 patients who were treated by liver resection for solitary metastases and had no evidence of extrahepatic disease. Most patients in both groups also received systemic chemotherapy. RESULTS: Median survival after liver resection was 41 (range 0-97) months with a 3-year survival rate of 55.4 per cent. There was one postoperative death and morbidity was minimal. Median survival after radiofrequency ablation was 37 (range 9-67) months with a 3-year survival rate of 52.6 per cent. CONCLUSION: Survival after resection and radiofrequency ablation of solitary colorectal liver metastases was comparable. The latter is less invasive and requires either an overnight stay or day-case facilities only.     

Determinants of survival in liver resection for colorectal secondaries

All 72 resections for colorectal liver secondaries during the period 1971-1984 were analysed retrospectively. Liver tumours were single in 35 (49 per cent), unilateral in 55 (76 per cent) and associated with extrahepatic disease in 12 (18 per cent) patients. Operative mortality was 5.6 per cent. With respect to the disease in the liver, the presence or absence of four or more metastases was the predominant prognostic determinant with a 5 year survival rate of 20 per cent in patients with less than four liver tumours, and no 3 year survivor among patients with four or more tumours. When the number of liver tumours was less than four, the prognosis in patients with unilateral disease was not significantly better than in patients with bilateral disease (P = 0.19). No other liver disease variable seemed to play any role in the prognosis. Extrahepatic disease was associated with a poor prognosis and no 5 year survivor. The length of the tumour-free resection margin was the only treatment variable that varied with the outcome: a resection margin of less than 10 mm was followed by a poor survival. Variables that did not influence survival included uni- or bilateral disease, liver tumour volume, tumour size, type of liver resection, Dukes' classification, differentiation of the primary tumour and synchronous or metachronous disease. It is concluded that resection for liver colorectal secondaries is indicated when there are less than four liver tumours, even if bilateral, no extrahepatic disease is present, and a resection margin of at least 10 mm can be obtained. It should not be performed unless all of these requirements are met.     

162例原发性肝癌术后复发再切除的体会

目的 探讨以再切除为主的综合治疗措施,提高肝癌术后的远期疗效.方法 对肝内复发癌、肝外转移癌和肝内复发肝外转移的不同类型的病例采用不同的切除方法.结果 原发性肝癌术后复发行再切除162例,1.3、5、10年总生存率分别为96.8%、66.7%、43.6%和21.8%,中位生存期3年9个月,平均生存期4年5个月.真中肝内复发癌切除组126例.术后1、3、5、1O年生存率分别为99.2%、71.3%.46.6%和19.1%,二次肝切除术后1、3、5年生存率分别为83.5%.38.2%和 19.6%,三次肝切除术后 1、3、5年生存率分别为94.7%、44.9%和25.0%,中位生存期3年9个月,平均生存期4年6个月.术后存活时间最长的1例已17年9个月.肝外转移癌切除组30例,转移灶包括有腹腔、肺.胸壁、肋骨、腹壁、脑.肾门和圆韧带等处,首次肝切除术后1、3、5年生存率分别为89.7%、61.0%和32.6%,二次肝外转移灶切除术后1、3、5年生存率分别为75.4%.29.0%和 15.6%,中位生存期3年9个月,平均生存期4年5个月,存活时间最长的1例14年2个月.以腹腔转移灶切除者最多,而肺转移灶切除后疗效最好.兼行肝内复发癌和肝外转移灶切除组共6例,现存活3例,分别为术后1年10个月,3年9个目和9年9个月.另3例相继于术后3年11个月、5年8个月和6年11个月死亡.结论 手术切除同时预防性应用全植入式药物输注     

Extrahepatic disease does not contraindicate hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND: Extrahepatic disease has always been considered an absolute contraindication to hepatectomy for liver metastases. The present study reports the long-term outcome and prognostic factors of patients undergoing resection of extrahepatic disease simultaneously with hepatectomy for liver metastases. METHODS: From January 1987 to January 2001, 111 (30 per cent) of 376 patients who had hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases underwent simultaneous resection of extrahepatic disease with curative intent. RESULTS: Surgery was considered R0 in 77 patients (69 per cent) and palliative (R1 or R2) in 34 patients (31 per cent). The mortality rate was 4 per cent and the morbidity rate 28 per cent. After a median follow-up of 4.9 years, the overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 38 and 20 per cent respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate of patients with R0 resection only (n = 75) was 29 per cent. The difference in survival between patients with and without extrahepatic disease discovered incidentally at operation was significant, as was the number of liver metastases. CONCLUSION: Extrahepatic disease in patients with colorectal cancer who also have liver metastases should no longer be considered an absolute contraindication to hepatectomy. However, the presence of more than five liver metastases and the incidental intraoperative discovery of extrahepatic disease remain contraindications to hepatic resection.     

Prospective randomized controlled trial of hepatic arterial embolization or infusion chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and degradable starch microspheres for colorectal liver metastases

Survival benefit from hepatic artery embolization (HAE) or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases has not previously been assessed in a randomized controlled trial. Sixty-one patients were randomized, 20 to receive no treatment, 22 to receive HAE, and 19 to receive HAI with 5-fluorouracil and degradable starch microspheres. Both treatments were acceptable to the patients in terms of low treatment morbidity rate. Median survival from diagnosis of metastases was 9.6 months for controls, 8.7 months for the HAE group and 13.0 months in the HAI group. There was no apparent survival benefit for the HAE group. The increased survival in the HAI group was observed in all the subgroups analysed but failed to reach statistical significance. The greatest observed benefit was achieved in the subgroup with less than 50 per cent hepatic replacement with tumour at presentation (median survival from diagnosis 10.0 months for controls, 10.2 months for HAE and 23.6 months for HAI); 36 per cent of patients developed extrahepatic disease recurrence. No significant benefit has been shown from either HAE or HAI, but a more carefully selected group of patients with only low volume hepatic disease may benefit from HAI therapy.     

Progressive metastatic renal cell carcinoma controlled by continuous 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine infusion

We treated 19 patients with progressive metastatic renal cell carcinoma with continuous infusion of 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine, 52 per cent of whom had previously received and failed chemotherapy. Implantable pumps were used for automatic drug delivery. 5-Fluoro-2-deoxyuridine was infused continuously for 14 days at monthly intervals. The starting dose was 0.15 mg. per kg. per day (intravenous) or 0.25 mg. per kg. per day (intra-arterial). Intravenous doses were increased or decreased in increments of 0.025 mg. per kg. per day as permitted by toxicity. Abdominal pain, diarrhea and mucositis limited the intravenous infusion, while malaise, anorexia and hepatic function abnormalities limited intra-arterial infusion. Of 18 evaluable patients we observed 1 complete, 4 partial (objective response rate 28 per cent) and 2 minor responses. The duration of response ranged from 2 to greater than 18 months. During a median follow up of 7.5 months (range 2 to 21 months) only 4 of the 18 patients had objective tumor progression. Over-all survival for the 19 patients was 94 per cent. Continuous infusion of 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine may be effective for the treatment of progressive renal cell carcinoma.     

Combination of hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy for gastric cancer with synchronous hepatic metastases

Between 1964 and 1981, seventy-two Japanese patients with gastric cancer associated with hepatic metastases, in whom the primary tumor had been resected, were treated in a nonrandomized manner at the Second Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Hospital. Fourteen received hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of 5-FU and Mitomycin C (MMC) combined with systemic chemotherapy, 26 combination systemic chemotherapy of MMC, Futraful and PSK, 18 single drug (MMC) therapy, and 14 no chemotherapy. The average survival was 264 days in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 208 in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 156 in the single drug therapy and 135 in those given no chemotherapy. One year survival and nine month survival rates were 21.4 per cent and 42.9 per cent in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 11.5 per cent and 19.2 per cent in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 5.6 per cent and 11.1 per cent in the single drug therapy and 7.1 per cent and 14.3 per cent in the no chemotherapy group, respectively (HAI vs single drug therapy and no chemotherapy, p<0.01). Five of 14 patients treated with HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy showed a partial response (>50 per cent reduction in tumor size), and the average survival time was 335 days, while that of nonresponders was 224 days. Six of 14 patients treated with combination infusion therapy with MMC and 5-FU survived 314 days, as compared to 201 days for patients with infusion of 5-FU alone.     

A prospective phase II clinical trial of continuous FUDR regional chemotherapy for colorectal metastases to the liver using a totally implantable drug infusion pump.

A prospective phase II evaluation of regional FUDR chemotherapy using a totally implantable drug infusion pump was conducted in 81 patients with colorectal metastases to the liver. The survival results were compared to a historical control group of 129 patients with isolated liver metastases. The two groups were comparable with respect to their dominant prognostic factors. The pump patients received their continuous chemotherapy on an outpatient basis and had an 88% response rate, as evidenced by a fall in their serum CEA levels by one-third or greater after two cycles of chemotherapy. By four criteria, the regional chemotherapy patients had an improved survival rate compared to the control series. First, the 1 year survival and median survival was better for the entire group of pump patients vs. controls (82% vs. 36%, 26 months vs. 8 months, p less than 0.0001). The survival for the regional chemotherapy patients was not influenced by the extent of tumor involvement, whether previous systemic 5-FU was given, or whether the patient had symptomatic disease. Second, the entire group of regional chemotherapy patients (including nonresponders) had a greater 1 year survival compared to the most favorable subgroup of control patients with the following characteristics: normal liver function tests, no symptoms, and only one lobe involved (82% vs. 66%, p = 0.009). Third, a subgroup of 49 pump patients, whose initial treatment for metastatic disease was regional chemotherapy (within 3 months of diagnosis) had a better 1 year survival than an exactly matched group of 49 control patients (67% vs. 30%, p = 0.000003). Fourth, the actuarial survival for all 81 pump patients was significantly better than predicted by a mathematical model constructed to predict the patient's clinical course based upon the seven dominant prognostic variables identified in a multifactorial analysis (82% survival at 1 year vs. 33% predicted survival). While liver metastases could be controlled in most patients, the major cause of death was tumor progression in extrahepatic sites, particularly lung metastases and abdominal carcinomatosis. Although it appears that regional chemotherapy with an implantable pump appears to prolong life by 12 to 18 months more than matched historical controls, these results must be confirmed by a randomized (phase III) prospective clinical trial.     

Isolated hepatic perfusion with high-dose melphalan for the treatment of colorectal metastasis confined to the liver

BACKGROUND: Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) involves complete vascular isolation of the liver to allow treatment with doses that would be toxic if delivered systemically. A phase II study of IHP in patients with colorectal metastases confined to the liver was performed. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with irresectable colorectal metastases underwent IHP with high-dose melphalan (200 mg) for 1 h. Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria and tumour response was assessed according to World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were perfused according to the protocol. Four patients died within 30 days after IHP, resulting in an operative mortality rate of 5.6 per cent. Sixteen patients (22.5 per cent) experienced grade 3-4 hepatotoxicity 1 week after IHP, which was transient and resolved within 3 months in all patients. The tumour response rate (complete or partial remission) was 59 per cent. Median time to progression was 7.7 (range 2.3-31.4) months. Overall median survival after IHP was 28.8 months with a 3-year survival rate of 37 per cent. CONCLUSION: IHP for irresectable colorectal metastases confined to the liver resulted in good response rates and long-term survival in a selected group of patients.     

Effect of intra-hepatoarterial infusion of MMC and CDDP for gastric cancer patients with liver metastases

The influence of operative treatment and chemotherapy on the prognosis in 93 gastric cancer patients with liver metastasis was studied. Chemotherapy included the systemic administration of mitomycin C (MMC) (39 patients), an intra-hepatoarterial infusion of MMC (MMC IAC group) (19 patients) and an intra-hepatoarterial infusion of MMC and cisplatin (CDDP) (MMC + CDDP IAC group) (24 patients). Either MMC or MMC and CDDP were given in 1–4 courses every 3–4 weeks from the first one to two post operative weeks. The response rate was 4 per cent (1/23), 29 per cent (5/17) and 73 per cent (17/23) for MMC systemic administration, MMC IAC and MMC + CDDP IAC, respectively, with a significantly high rate of effectiveness for the MMC + CDDP IAC. In addition, regarding the median survival period, the MMC + CDDP IAC group showed 11.8 months, as compared with 2.9 months for other chemotherapeutic treatments, indicating a good prognosis regardless of any possible resection of the primary lesion. A Cox proportional hazard model revealed the treatment by MMC + CDDP IAC alone to be a significant independent factor. These results indicated that MMC + CDDP intra-arterial chemotherapy is an effective approach to gastric cancer with liver metastasis.     

Survival after hepatic resection for malignant tumours.

A retrospective analysis of 194 patients who underwent hepatic resection for primary or metastatic malignant disease from January 1962 to December 1988 was undertaken to determine variables that might aid the selection of patients for hepatic resection. Hepatic metastases were the indication for resection in 126 patients. The 5-year survival rate was 17 per cent. For patients with resected metastases from colorectal cancer (n = 104), the survival rate at 5 years was 18 per cent. The 5-year survival rate was 27 per cent when the resection margin was > 5 mm compared with 9 per cent when the margin was < or = 5 mm (P < 0.01). No patient with extrahepatic invasion, lymphatic spread, involvement of the resection margin or gross residual disease survived to 5 years, compared with a 23 per cent 5-year survival rate for patients undergoing curative resection (P < 0.02). The survival rate of patients with poorly differentiated primary tumours was nil at 3 years compared with a 20 per cent 5-year survival rate for patients with well or moderately differentiated tumours (P not significant). The site and Dukes' classification of the primary tumour, the sex and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level of the patient, and the number and size of hepatic metastases did not affect the prognosis. The 5-year survival rate for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 42) was 25 per cent. An improved survival rate was found for patients whose alpha-fetoprotein level was normal (37 per cent at 5 years) compared with those having a raised level (nil at 3 years) (P < 0.01). Involvement of the resection margin, extrahepatic spread and spread to regional lymph nodes were associated with an 8 per cent 5-year survival rate versus 44 per cent for curative resection (P < 0.005). The presence of cirrhosis, the presence of symptoms, and the multiplicity and size of the tumour did not affect the prognosis. The 5-year survival rate of 11 patients with hepatic sarcoma was 25 per cent. No patient with peripheral cholangiocarcinoma survived to 1 year in contrast to patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, all four of whom survived for more than 14 months.     

Natural history of patients with untreated liver metastases from colorectal cancer

One hundred fifty-five patients, laparotomized because of colorectal cancer, were retrospectively evaluated with special attention given to the natural course of untreated synchronous liver metastases. The median survival time for patients with synchronous liver metastases was 4.5 months. The survival time was mainly influenced by the extent of tumor involvement in the liver. Patients with elevated levels of serum-alkaline phosphatase at the time of operation had a significantly shorter survival time than those with normal values. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels are a good indication of prognosis. The incidence of synchronous liver metastases was 16 percent. This low rate is partly explained by the development of metachronous liver metastases in five patients within 1 year. Comparison with previous reports, often more than 10 years old, revels that the poor prognosis of patients with untreated liver metastases from colorectal cancer has remained unchanged.     

Transient hepatic dearterialization followed by regional intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil infusion as treatment for liver tumors.

Twenty consecutive patients with secondary liver tumors were treated with a new method of liver dearterialization, performed by transient occlusion of the hepatic artery with strangulating slings, and followed by regional intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil. Tumor regression was confirmed by angiography, laboratory tests and symptom relief in more than 50% of the patients. For patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma the mean survival time after operation was 17 months and the median survival time was 11 months. The most common complications were abscesses and aneurysms. The treatment is judged suitable for patients with a tumor of moderate severity involving both liver lobes and without extrahepatic tumor growth.     

The results of surgical treatment combined with intra-arterial infusion of anti-cancer agents in osteosarcoma.

Since 1963, regional intra-arterial infusion of anti-cancer agents combined with surgery has been used in the treatment of 56 patients with osteosarcomas. The histologic examination of amputated limbs after prolonged intra-arterial infusion therapy showed remarkable degeneration and necrosis throughout wide areas of tumor tissue. The overall estimated 5-year survival rate improved from 4 to 31.4 per cent. In cases where the infusion period was of more than 3 weeks duration, the estimated 5-year survival rate was 43.8 per cent. The period from operation to pulmonary metastasis was prolonged and the incidence of pulmonary metastasis within the first year was markedly decreased. The use of intra-arterial infusion prior to surgery coupled with postoperative bronchial arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy improved the prognosis in osteosarcomas.     

Extended hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

The results of extended hepatectomy in 25 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma performed over a 16 year period have been reviewed, analysed and compared with those of 144 patients who underwent lesser liver resection. Five left and 20 right extended hepatectomies were performed for tumours ranging from 3 to 20 cm in diameter. Seventeen (68 per cent) of the patients had non-cirrhotic livers. The major postoperative complications were: haemorrhage in five cases, major bile duct injury in three, subphrenic abscess in two, liver failure in one and wound dehiscence in one. The 30-day (operative) mortality rate was 12 per cent and the median survival duration, including operative mortality, was 9.7 (range 0.2-32.1) months. The survival rate was 46 per cent at 1 year, 33 per cent at 2 years and 22 per cent at 3 years. The morbidity, mortality and survival data of extended hepatectomy were comparable with the results of lesser hepatic resections for hepatocellular carcinoma. We conclude that extended hepatectomy is a worthwhile operation for large hepatocellular carcinomas and a viable alternative to liver transplantation.     

Treatment of cancer of the liver. Twenty years'' experience with infusion and resection in 414 patients.

The factors influencing survival for patients with cancer of the liver were studied by reviewing the records of 414 patients operated on in a private oncology practice. Approximately half (47%) had colorectal metastasis; 17% had metastatic breast carcinoma, 14% had malignant hepatoma, 5% had metastatic melanoma, and the remainder had a variety of primary cancers. Eighty-two per cent of all patients had advanced liver disease when first diagnosed. One quarter of the patients had some type of resection; the remainder had abdominal exploration plus insertion of an infusion catheter into the hepatic artery. The postoperative mortality rate after liver resection for 108 patients was 6.5%. After resection, the most important prognostic factor influencing survival was the presence or absence of extrahepatic metastases. When possible, resection was by far the best treatment available, and the best results were seen in patients who had resection of a solitary lesion. For advanced disease, when resection was not possible, intra-arterial chemotherapy, primarily with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), was associated with response rates of 36% for colorectal cancer, 45% for breast cancer, 13% for hepatocellular cancer, 12% for melanoma, and 14% for metastases from other primary sites. The patients who responded to infusion lived longer than those who did not respond. For example, at 18 months, 26% of the responders with colorectal cancer were alive, as were 50% of the responders with breast cancer and 40% of the responders with hepatocellular cancer. In contrast, at 18 months, there were no survivors among the nonresponders with colorectal, breast, or hepatocellular cancer. For those patients treated solely by infusion chemotherapy, the extent of disease in the liver was the most reliable factor in predicting the length of survival. However, very few patients treated in this manner lived longer than 3 years.     

Clinical study of penile carcinoma in 38 cases

We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma (stage 1 in 22, stage 2 in 7 and stage 3 in 9) who were treated in our institution from 1963 through 1987. The incidence of regional nodal metastasis was correlated with tumor category, local infiltration and tumor grade. The incidence rate of nodal metastasis of G2 and G3 tumors was statistically higher than that of G1 tumors. Of 27 patients initially treated by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, 11 patients achieved complete response. G1 tumors and T1 to 2 tumors had such high response rates as 58 and 50 per cent, respectively, but 5 patients (45 per cent) had local recurrence at an average of 74 months after initial treatment. The 5-year survival rates of over-all, stage 1, 2 and 3 were 73, 90, 75 and 25 per cent, respectively. Patients with stage 3 disease had a statistical lower survival rate than those with stage 1 or 2 disease. Among 13 patients with regional nodal metastasis, none with G2 tumor survived three years, although 3 patients (60 per cent) of those with G1 tumor survived five years. These results suggest that tumor grade is the most prognostic factor for the regional nodal metastasis, the response of conservative treatment and the survival of metastasized patients.     

Combination of hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy for gastric cancer with synchronous hepatic metastases

Between 1964 and 1981, seventy-two Japanese patients with gastric cancer associated with hepatic metastases, in whom the primary tumor had been resected, were treated in a nonrandomized manner at the Second Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Hospital. Fourteen received hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of 5-FU and Mitomycin C (MMC) combined with systemic chemotherapy, 26 combination systemic chemotherapy of MMC, Futraful and PSK, 18 single drug (MMC) therapy, and 14 no chemotherapy. The average survival was 264 days in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 208 in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 156 in the single drug therapy and 135 in those given no chemotherapy. One year survival and nine month survival rates were 21.4 per cent and 42.9 per cent in HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy, 11.5 per cent and 19.2 per cent in the combination systemic chemotherapy, 5.6 per cent and 11.1 per cent in the single drug therapy and 7.1 per cent and 14.3 per cent in the no chemotherapy group, respectively (HAI vs single drug therapy and no chemotherapy, p less than 0.01). Five of 14 patients treated with HAI combined with systemic chemotherapy showed a partial response (greater than 50 per cent reduction in tumor size), and the average survival time was 335 days, while that of nonresponders was 224 days. Six of 14 patients treated with combination infusion therapy with MMC and 5-FU survived 314 days, as compared to 201 days for patients with infusion of 5-FU alone.     

Pancreatic cancer: 30 year review (1947 to 1977).

The treatment of pancreatic cancer has been slow to show increased survival, and in the vast majority of patients only short-term palliation can be achieved. However, since there are no 5 year survivors among patients undergoing only palliative procedures, more aggressive surgical therapy may eventually improve the poor survival rate. In our group of 207 patients, 7.2 per cent were considered resectable for cure and had a curative type resection with a resultant 10 per cent 5 year survival rate. Operative mortality was 30 per cent. One hundred one patients were considered unresectable and underwent a palliative procedure. The mean survival of the patients undergoing palliative procedures was 7.7 months for biliary bypass alone, 3.6 months for duodenal bypass alone, and 9.4 months for combined biliary and duodenal bypass. The overall operative mortality for patients undergoing a palliative procedure was 13 per cent (13 of 101 patients). Eleven per cent of our patients undergoing biliary bypass alone required re-operation for duodenal obstruction. Gastrojejunostomy should be performed at the time of initial exploration, particularly for lesions of the head of the pancreas, to avoid reoperation in the short lives of these unfortunate patients.