Risk of Pancreatic Cancer After a Primary Episode of Acute Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Acute pancreatitis may be the first manifestation of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of pancreatic cancer after a first episode of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Between March 2004 and March 2007, all consecutive patients with a first episode of acute pancreatitis were prospectively registered. Follow-up was based on hospital records audit, radiological imaging, and patient questionnaires. Outcome was stratified based on the development of chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS: We included 731 patients. The median follow-up time was 55 months. Progression to chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed in 51 patients (7.0%). In this group, the incidence rate per 1000 person-years for developing pancreatic cancer was 9.0 (95% confidence interval, 2.3-35.7). In the group of 680 patients who did not develop chronic pancreatitis, the incidence rate per 1000 person-years for developing pancreatic cancer in this group was 1.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.3-3.3). Hence, the rate ratio of pancreatic cancer was almost 9 times higher in patients who developed chronic pancreatitis compared with those who did not (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Although a first episode of acute pancreatitis may be related to pancreatic cancer, this risk is mainly present in patients who progress to chronic pancreatitis.

The accuracy of MRI, endorectal ultrasonography, and computed tomography in predicting the response of locally advanced rectal cancer after preoperative therapy: A metaanalysis.

BACKGROUND: To perform a metaanalysis to determine and compare the diagnostic performance of MRI, endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS), and computed tomography (CT) in predicting the response of locally advanced rectal cancer after preoperative therapy. METHODS: All previously published articles on the role of MRI, CT, and/or ERUS in predicting the response of rectal cancer to preoperative therapy were collected. We divided the objective in 3 parts: the accuracy to assess (i) complete response, (ii) to detect T4 tumors with invasion to the circumferential resection margin (CRM), and (iii) to predict the presence of lymph node metastasis. The pooled estimates of, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated using a bivariate mixed effect analysis. RESULTS: Forty-six studies comprising 2,224 patients were included. (i) The pooled accuracy to assess complete tumor response were (a) 75% for MRI, (b) 82% for ERUS, (c) and 83% for CT. (ii) Pooled accuracy to detect T4 tumors with invasion to the CRM were (a) 88% and (b) 94% for ERUS. (iii) Pooled accuracy to predict the presence of lymph node metastasis was (a) 72% for MRI, (b) 72% for ERUS, (c) and 65% for CT. CONCLUSION: MRI, CT, and ERUS cannot be used to predict complete response of locally advanced rectal cancer after CRT. In addition, the positive predictive value for these imaging techniques is low for the assessment of tumor invasion in the CRM. The accuracy of the modalities to predict the presence of metastatic lymph node disease is also low.

[Pancreatoduodenectomy for suspected malignancy: indications, complications and survival]. / Pancreatoduodenectomie bij verdenking op maligniteit: indicaties, complicaties en overleving.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the indications, complications and survival after pancreatoduodenectomy, with special attention for the outcome after extended resection due to tumour extension and in elderly patients. DESIGN: Retrospective, partly cross-sectional study. METHOD: All 275 consecutive adult patients who underwent explorative laparotomy for a suspected resectable pancreatic head tumour or periampulary tumour in two Dutch tertiary centres between 2007 and 2010 were included. We graded the postoperative complications according to international classifications and collected data on survival. RESULTS: In 218/275 patients (79%) the tumour could be resected by pancreatoduodenectomy with or without an extended resection. Malignancy was confirmed in 190/218 patients (87%); in 153/190 patients (81%) a microscopically radical (R0) resection was achieved. Fifteen percent of the patients required a re-intervention (radiological, endoscopic or surgical) because of an intra-abdominal complication. The post-operative 30-day mortality was 4.1%. Eighty-six patients (39%) were ultimately diagnosed with 'pancreatic adenocarcinoma'; they had a 1- and 2-year survival rate of 63% and 34%, respectively. In 27 patients (12%) who underwent an extended resection for oncological reasons, such as partial hepatic portal vein resection, the 30-day mortality was 0% and the survival rates were comparable to patients with a standard resection. The 81 patients (37%) aged 70 or older had a 30-day mortality and survival similar to younger patients. CONCLUSION: More than 75% of potentially resectable tumours were resected by a pancreatoduodenectomy with or without an extended resection, with a relatively low postoperative mortality and an adequate survival benefit. After multidisciplinary assessment, both limited tumour extension and a higher age are not necessarily contraindications for a resection, as a comparable survival benefit can be obtained for these groups of patients as for other groups.