Prognostic implications of the standardized study of resection margins in pancreatic cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Involvement of surgical resection margins is a fundamental prognostic factor in pancreatic oncological surgery. However, there is a lack of standardized histopathology definition. The aims of this study are to investigate the real rate of R1 resections when surgical specimens are evaluated according to a standardized protocol and to study its survival implications. PATIENTS Y METHODS: One hundred consecutive surgically resected patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were included in the study. They were further divided in 2 groups: pre-protocol, evaluated before the introduction of the standardized protocol and post-protocol, analyzed with the standardized protocol. RESULTS: R0 resection rate in the pre-protocol group was 78%, falling to 47% after the introduction of the standardized protocol (p=0,003). The posterior retroperitoneal margin was the most frequently involved margin. In cases with tumors located at the pancreatic head and analyzed according to the standardized protocol R1 involvement negatively affected survival. Median survival in the R0 group was 22 months versus 16 in those with the margin involved (HR: 2.044; IC 95% 1,00-4,16; P=.043). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized evaluation of the retroperitoneal margins in pancreatic cancer increases the rate of R1 patients. In cases with pancreatic cancer located at the pancreatic head involvement of posterior retroperitoneal margin significantly decreases survival.

Recurrence of esophageal cancer after R0 surgery. Risk factors and evolution.

INTRODUCTION: despite advances in surgical and adjuvant therapy, recurrence in esophageal cancer submitted to R0 surgery remains high. The aim is to define risk factors and recurrence patterns. Additionally, to show the management carried out and the outcome of patients showing recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: observational and prospective study that included 61 patients. Neoadjuvancy therapy was indicated on T3, T4 and N+ tumors and every lymph node dissection was performed in two fields. Recurrence is defined at distance, regional or local, when, recurrence is detected after six months. According to clinical features and the recurrences, a palliative, chemotherapeutic or surgical management was indicated. RESULTS: there were 54 men and the mean age was 59.7 years. The most frequent stage was the IIA and 17 (27.9%) had positive lymph nodes. Thirty (49.2%) had showed recurrence with a median disease-free interval of 10.5 months. The pTNM, the absence of response to the neoadjuvancy and the presence of compromised lymph nodes were found to be risk factors for recurrence. Only the presence of compromised lymph nodes was significant in the multivariate analysis. After diagnosis of the recurrence, median survival was 7 months and 6 subjects survived beyond 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: we confirmed the high incidence of recurrence in esophageal cancer, where the presence of compromised lymph nodes is probably the main risk factor. After the diagnosis of a relapse the prognosis would be bad, however there would be a small subsidiary group for treatment where outcomes would be better.

Pancreatectomía córporo-caudal con resección del tronco celíaco por adenocarcinoma de cuerpo pancreático: intervención de Appleby modificada / Distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic body: the modified Appleby procedure

La resección oncológica completa es el único procedimiento que permite la sobrevida a largo plazo en cáncer de páncreas. La afectación de la arteria hepática, tronco celíaco o arteria mesentérica superior constituyen una contraindicación quirúrgica porque se asocia a mal pronóstico y por las dificultades técnicas que implica conseguir la resección oncológica completa. Solo un grupo seleccionado de pacientes con buena respuesta a la quimioterapia y pasibles de resección R0 se benefician de la cirugía de resección del tronco celíaco. A partir de un caso clínico de un adenocarcinoma de páncreas con infiltración de la arteria hepática común y tronco celíaco que tras una buena respuesta a la neoadyuvancia y embolización de la arteria hepática común fue sometido a una esplenopancreatectomía córporo-caudal con resección del tronco celíaco, se realiza una revisión de la literatura sobre el tema y sus aspectos técnicos relevantes. El análisis realizado permite sugerir que en casos debidamente seleccionados la pancreatectomía córporo-caudal con resección del tronco celíaco en bloque es un procedimiento factible, seguro, y con buenos resultados quirúrgicos y oncológicos. En condiciones de respuesta a la quimioterapia neoadyuvante y experiencia del equipo quirúrgico pareciera que esta cirugía podría mejorar el pronóstico y calidad de vida de estos enfermos.

Abstract Complete oncologic resection is the only procedure that enables survival in pancreatic cancer. Compromise of the liver artery, the celiac artery or the superior mesenteric artery constitute a surgical contraidication since it is associated to a bad prognosis and it is technically hard to achieve a complete surgical resection. Only a selected group of patients who respond well to chemotherapy and may be subject to resection benefit from celiac artery resection surgery. A clinical case of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with infiltration of the common liver artery and the celiac artery underwent a corporeo-caudal pancreatosplenectomy with celiac artery resection after a good response to neoadjuvant therapy and hepatic arterial embolization. Based on this, a review of literature on this issue and its relevant technical aspects was conducted. The analysis performed may suggest that in duly selected cases, corporeo-caudal pancreatosplenectomy with bloc celiac artery resection is a feasible and safe procedure with good surgical and oncologic results. Upon good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and an experienced surgical team, this surgery seems to improve prognosis and the quality of life of these patients.

Resumo A ressecção oncológica completa é o único procedimento que permite uma sobrevida em longo prazo a pacientes com câncer de pâncreas. O comprometimento da artéria hepática, tronco celíaco ou artéria mesentérica superior é uma contraindicação cirúrgica porque está associado a um prognóstico ruim e, devido às dificuldades técnicas que implica conseguir a ressecção oncológica completa. Somente um grupo selecionado de pacientes com boa resposta à quimioterapia e que possa ser submetido à ressecção R.0 pode se beneficiar da cirurgia de ressecção do tronco celíaco. A partir de um caso clínico de um adenocarcinoma de pâncreas com infiltração da artéria hepática comum e do tronco celíaco, que depois de apresentar boa resposta à quimioterapia e a embolização da artéria hepática comum, foi submetido a uma esplenopancreatectomia corpo-caudal com ressecção do tronco celíaco, realizou-se uma revisão da literatura sobre o tema e seus aspectos técnicos relevantes. A análise realizada permite sugerir que nos casos devidamente selecionados, a pancreatectomia corpo-caudal com ressecção em bloco do tronco celíaco é um procedimento factível, seguro, com bons resultados cirúrgicos e oncológicos. Quando se reúnem as condições de resposta adequada à quimioterapia neoadjuvante e a experiência da equipe de cirurgia, pareceria que esta intervenção poderia melhorar o prognóstico e a qualidade de vida destes pacientes.