Detection of tumor cell dissemination in pancreatic ductal carcinoma patients by CK 20 RT-PCR indicates poor survival.

PURPOSE: This prospective study evaluates the diagnostic potential of Cytokeratin 20 (CK 20) RT-PCR for the detection of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow and blood of a large cohort of patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and the prognostic value on overall survival prediction. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2003, 172 patients (83 male, 89 female; 13-82 years) with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma underwent surgery. Bone marrow samples and venous blood were taken preoperatively and analyzed for disseminated tumor cells by nested CK 20 RT-PCR. RESULTS: Disseminated tumor cells were detected in 81 (47.1%) of the 172 patients in the bone marrow and/or the venous blood. Overall, in 45 of the 135 (33.3%) bone marrow samples and in 52 of the 154 (33.8%) blood samples, CK 20 positive cells were detected. Detection rates increased with the UICC-tumor stage. According to Kaplan-Meier, univariate survival analysis of all 172 patients (n = 78 R0-; n = 18 R1- and n = 5 R2-resected; n = 71 palliative surgery) showed a statistically significant relationship of overall survival to radicality of the operation (P < 0.0001), the UICC-stage of the tumors (P = 0.0011) and the detection of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow and/or venous blood (P = 0.05). Patients with well- and moderately- differentiated tumors (G1 and G2) had a significantly longer survival (P = 0.045) than patients suffering from poorly differentiated tumors (G3). A positive CK 20 status in the bone marrow and/or blood within the group of patients with G1 and G2 tumors had a significantly negative prognostic impact on their survival (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Disseminated tumor cells can be detected in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by CK 20 RT-PCR. Detection rates are stage dependent, and survival analysis demonstrated statistically relevant data. From a clinical point of view, this finding is especially noteworthy for the group of well- and moderately-differentiated tumors.

Cholangio-duodenal interposition of an isolated jejunal segment after central resection.

BACKGROUND: Bilio-intestinal drainage is routinely performed by Roux-en-Y reconstruction after resection of the central bile duct. Alternatively reconstruction can be achieved by cholangio-duodenal interposition of an isolated jejunal segment (CDJI). This method offers the benefit of potential endoscopic control and intervention during follow-up. Critics of CDJI assume a higher rate of postoperative cholangitis compared to the Roux-en-Y construction. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with malignant tumors (n=56) or benign strictures and choledochal cysts (n=20) were treated between 1989 and 2002 by cholangio-duodenal interposition of an isolated jejunal segment (measuring 15-25 cm) after central bile duct resection. In 22 patients endoscopic control was first performed postoperatively during hospitalization. In 12 patients bilio-intestinal anastomosis could be inspected endoscopically. In the remaining patients the anastomosis could not be visualized endoscopically because of kinking of the jejunal segment, but in all patients it could be evaluated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). RESULTS: During follow-up, 25 (33%) patients died from extrahepatic tumor recurrence. Three patients receiving CDJI after severe iatrogenic bile duct injury developed anastomotic strictures. Two of these patients were treated by endoscopic pigtail drainage, and one was treated by percutaneous drainage. Two patients who had received CDJI after choledochal cyst resection developed cholestasis postoperatively because of sludge formation (1 patient) and an intrahepatic concrement (1), which could be solved endoscopically. One patient after resection of a Klatskin tumor developed an anastomotic stricture which could not be visualized endoscopically, making percutaneous drainage necessary. The rate of postoperative cholangitis after CDJI in our patients was comparable to that after the Roux-en-Y reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Interposition of an isolated jejunal segment for reconstruction after bile duct resection should be performed in patients with a high risk of postoperative stenosis. To benefit endoscopic follow-up the jejunal segment should be shorter than 20 cm