The prognostic role of fatigue, depression and anxiety on postoperative outcomes after pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer. A prospective observational study (FAT-PRO study).

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the prevalence of preoperative fatigue, depression and anxiety among patients undergoing pancreatic surgery for pancreatic cancer (PC), and possible relationship with postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Prospective data from 162 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatectomy for PC at a third-level referral centers for pancreatic surgery were collected. All patients preoperatively completed four questionnaires assessing depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (STAI-Y2), chronic illness fatigue (FACIT-F) and cancer therapy fatigue (FACT-G). RESULTS: Forty patients (25%) where in the first quartile for chronic illness (FACIT-F ≤34) and/or cancer therapy (FACT-G ≤78) fatigue, 26 patients (16%) met the criteria for major depression (PHQ-9 ≥10) and 34 patients (21%) had anxiety symptoms (STAI-Y2 ≥40). Cancer therapy fatigue was significantly associated with higher rates of morbidity (70% vs 49%), major morbidity (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) (28% vs 11%), post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (18% vs 4%), pulmonary complications (20% vs 9%) and mortality (8% vs null) (all P ≤ 0.01). Major depression was associated with higher rates of post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage and readmission (23% vs 5%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis of preoperative factors confirmed diabetes (OR 2.71, 95%CI 1.01-7.20; P = 0.04), ASA score ≥3 (OR 4.12, 95%CI 1.52-11.21; P < 0.01) and cancer therapy fatigue (OR 2.95, 95%CI 1.01-8.74; P = 0.04) to be independent predictors of major morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of fatigue (in particular cancer therapy fatigue) strongly correlates with worse postoperative outcomes.

Treatment of branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: state of the art.

The diagnosis of branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) has been dramatically increased. BD-IPMNs are frequently discovered as incidental findings in asymptomatic individuals, mainly in elderly patients. An accurate evaluation of BD-IPMNs with high-resolution imaging techniques and endoscopic ultrasound is necessary. Patients with high-risk stigmata (HRS, obstructive jaundice, enhanced solid component) should undergo resection. Patients with worrisome features (WF, cyst size ≥3 cm, thickened enhanced cyst walls, non-enhanced mural nodules, and clinical acute pancreatitis) may undergo either a strict surveillance based on patients' characteristics (age, comorbidities) or surgical resection. Non-operative management is indicated for BD-IPMNs without HRS and WF. Patients with BD-IPMN who do not undergo resection may develop malignant change over time as well as IPMN-distinct pancreatic cancer. However, non-operative management of BD-IPMNs lacking WF and HRS is safe and the risk of malignant degeneration seems relatively low. The optimal surveillance protocol is currently unclear.