Loco-recurrence after resection for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: predictors and implications for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: Loco (regional)-recurrence rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains high, and the efficiency of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is still debated. We aimed to assess predictors of loco-recurrence in order to tailor the indications for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Patients who underwent PD for PDAC between January 2001 and December 2010 were retrieved from a prospective database. Tumor recurrence was categorized as either loco-recurrence or distant recurrence. Clinicopathological characteristics and survivals were compared between patients with different recurrence patterns. The predictors for loco-recurrence were assessed.

Results: Seventy-nine patients were included. Loco-recurrence alone was identified in 22 patients (27.8%), distant recurrence alone in 33 (41.8%), both loco- and distant recurrences in 17 (21.5%) and no recurrence in 7 (8.9%). Median survival after recurrence (SAR) was significantly better in patients with loco-recurrence alone than in those with distant recurrence alone (10.4 vs. 5.0 months, P = 0.002) or in those with both loco- and distant recurrences (10.4 vs. 5.8 months, P = 0.044); the survival for patients with distant recurrence alone and those with both patterns was identical. Patients with early recurrence had a significantly poorer SAR than those with late recurrence (median, 5.5 vs. 9.0 months, P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that positive resection margin (P = 0.001, HR = 14.532; 95% CI 7.399-38.466), early T stage (P = 0.018, HR = 0.014; 95% CI 0.000-0.475) and large tumor size (P = 0.030, HR = 4.345; 95% CI 1.152-16.391) were the determinant factors directly related to loco-recurrence alone.

Conclusions: Patients with PDAC loco-recurrence alone had a significantly better SAR than those with distant recurrence. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy should be considered to reduce loco-recurrence further and improve long-term survival.

Fig. 1

Kaplan–Meier survival curves for patients’ survival after recurrence (SAR) in relation to different recurrence patterns. Patients with loco-recurrence alone had significantly better survival than those with distant recurrence alone (median survival 10.4 vs. 5.5 months, P = 0.002) and both loco- and distant recurrences (median 10.4 vs. 5.8 months, P = 0.044). There was no significant difference between the latter two groups of patients (P = 0.335)

Fig. 2

Kaplan–Meier survival curves for patients’ survival after recurrence (SAR) in relation to time to recurrence. Patients with early recurrence (≤12 months) had significantly poorer survival than those with late recurrence (>12 months; median survival 5.5 vs. 9.0 months, P = 0.001)