RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The second part of the duodenum is the most common part to be involved with duodenal gastrointestinal tumors (D2-GISTs). Localized resection (LR) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are two viable options for curative resection. The aim of this study is to compare the middle-term outcomes in patients with D2-GIST after either LR or PD in a single institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 53 patients with non-metastatic D2-GIST were analyzed. Either LR or PD was executed depending on the involvement of the ampulla of Vater. The tumors were stratified in accordance with the Miettinen classification for tumor behavior. The patients were followed up for 3 years for recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Thirty-two of the patients were females (60%) and 21 males (40%), with a mean age of 55 ± 8 years. Bleeding was the most common presentation in 19 patients (36%). LR was performed in 41 patients (77%), whereas PD was performed in 12 patients (23%). Three-year survival and recurrence were comparable between the two groups. The disease-free survival at 3 years was 85% and 92% in LR and PD group, respectively. The PD group had a significantly longer operative time and a higher incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula. Otherwise, no statistically significant difference was calculated. A significantly shorter survival was calculated in those with a mitotic index of >5 and also for tumors classified as high grade in accordance with the Miettinen classification. 71% of those with recurrence had high mitotic index > 5/hpf. CONCLUSIONS: LR for D2-GIST is an acceptable alternative to PD with satisfactory middle-term outcomes. For tumors involving the ampulla of Vater, PD is still indicated. Furthermore, tumor biology predicts the likelihood of survival and recurrence.