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Review
. 2016 Jan;18(1):13-20.
doi: 10.1016/j.hpb.2015.10.004. Epub 2015 Nov 18.

Indications for staging laparoscopy in pancreatic cancer

Antonella De Rosa  1 , Iain C Cameron  1 , Dhanwant Gomez  2
Affiliations
Review

Indications for staging laparoscopy in pancreatic cancer

Antonella De Rosa et al. HPB (Oxford). 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Background: To identify indications for staging laparoscopy (SL) in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, and suggest a pre-operative algorithm for staging these patients.

Methods: Relevant articles were reviewed from the published literature using the Medline database. The search was performed using the keywords 'pancreatic cancer', 'resectability', 'staging', 'laparoscopy', and 'Whipple's procedure'.

Results: Twenty four studies were identified which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the published data, the most reliable surrogate markers for selecting patients for SL to predict unresectability in patients with CT defined resectable pancreatic cancer were CA 19.9 and tumour size. Although there are studies suggesting a role for tumour location, CEA levels, and clinical findings such as weight loss and jaundice, there is currently not enough evidence for these variables to predict resectability. Based on the current data, patients with a CT suggestive of resectable disease and (1) CA 19.9 ≥150 U/mL; or (2) tumour size >3 cm should be considered for SL.

Conclusion: The role of laparoscopy in the staging of pancreatic cancer patients remains controversial. Potential predictors of unresectability to select patients for SL include CA 19.9 levels and tumour size.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagram demonstrating studies included in this review following the search criteria
Figure 2
Figure 2
Suggested algorithm for selecting patients with pancreatic cancer for staging laparoscopy. [*: CA 19.9 level irrespective of bilirubin level.]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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