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Multicenter Study
. 2017 Jan 1;152(1):19-25.
doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2016.3598.

Association of Preoperative Risk Factors With Malignancy in Pancreatic Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms: A Multicenter Study

Lauren M Postlewait  1 , Cecilia G Ethun  1 , Mia R McInnis  1 , Nipun Merchant  2 , Alexander Parikh  3 , Kamran Idrees  3 , Chelsea A Isom  3 , William Hawkins  4 , Ryan C Fields  4 , Matthew Strand  4 , Sharon M Weber  5 , Clifford S Cho  5 , Ahmed Salem  5 , Robert C G Martin  6 , Charles Scoggins  6 , David Bentrem  7 , Hong J Kim  8 , Jacquelyn Carr  8 , Syed Ahmad  9 , Daniel E Abbott  9 , Gregory C Wilson  9 , David A Kooby  1 , Shishir K Maithel  1
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Association of Preoperative Risk Factors With Malignancy in Pancreatic Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms: A Multicenter Study

Lauren M Postlewait et al. JAMA Surg. .

Abstract

Importance: Pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) harbor malignant potential, and current guidelines recommend resection. However, data are limited on preoperative risk factors for malignancy (adenocarcinoma or high-grade dysplasia) occurring in the setting of an MCN.

Objectives: To examine the preoperative risk factors for malignancy in resected MCNs and to assess outcomes of MCN-associated adenocarcinoma.

Design, setting, and participants: Patients who underwent pancreatic resection of MCNs at the 8 academic centers of the Central Pancreas Consortium from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2014, were retrospectively identified. Preoperative factors of patients with and without malignant tumors were compared. Survival analyses were conducted for patients with adenocarcinoma.

Main outcomes and measures: Binary logistic regression models were used to determine the association of preoperative factors with the presence of MCN-associated malignancy.

Results: A total of 1667 patients underwent resection of pancreatic cystic lesions, and 349 (20.9%) had an MCN (310 women [88.8%]; mean (SD) age, 53.3 [14.7] years). Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.72; 95% CI, 1.21-11.44; P = .02), pancreatic head and neck location (OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.43-10.81; P = .01), increased radiographic size of the MCN (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08-1.27; P < .001), presence of a solid component or mural nodule (OR, 4.54; 95% CI, 1.95-10.57; P < .001), and duct dilation (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.63-10.64; P = .003) were independently associated with malignancy. Malignancy was not associated with presence of radiographic septations or preoperative cyst fluid analysis (carcinoembryonic antigen, amylase, or mucin presence). The median serum CA19-9 level for patients with malignant neoplasms was 210 vs 15 U/mL for those without (P = .001). In the 44 patients with adenocarcinoma, 41 (93.2%) had lymph nodes harvested, with nodal metastases in only 14 (34.1%). Median follow-up for patients with adenocarcinoma was 27 months. Adenocarcinoma recurred in 11 patients (25%), with a 64% recurrence-free survival and 59% overall survival at 3 years.

Conclusions and relevance: Adenocarcinoma or high-grade dysplasia is present in 14.9% of resected pancreatic MCNs for which risks include male sex, pancreatic head and neck location, larger MCN, solid component or mural nodule, and duct dilation. Mucinous cystic neoplasm-associated adenocarcinoma appears to have decreased nodal involvement at the time of resection and increased survival compared with typical pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Indications for resection of MCNs should be revisited.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Drs Postlewait and Ethun reported receiving salary support from the Katz Foundation. No other disclosures were reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Recurrence-Free Survival of Patients With Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm-Associated Adenocarcinoma
The 3-year recurrence-free survival was 64%. Sixty months of follow-up was considered a reasonable length of time to illustrate; however, some patients continued follow-up beyond that point.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Overall Survival of Patients With Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm-Associated Adenocarcinoma
The 3-year overall survival was 59%. Sixty months of follow-up was considered a reasonable length of time to illustrate; however, some patients continued follow-up beyond that point.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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