Important CT and histopathological findings for recurrence and overall survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate important factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX using CT and histopathological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with PDA who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX were retrospectively included. All patients underwent baseline and first follow-up CT. Two reviewers assessed the CT findings and resectability based on the NCCN guideline. They graded extrapancreatic perineural invasion (EPNI) using a 3-point scale focused on 5 routes. Clinical and histopathological results, such as T- and N-stage, tumor regression grade (TRG) using the College of American Pathology (CAP) grading system, and resection status, were also investigated. Kaplan-Meier methods were used for RFS and OS. The Cox proportional hazard model and logistic regression model were used to identify significant predictive factors. RESULTS: There were 57 patients (82.6%) without residual tumors (R0) and 12 patients (17.4%) with residual tumors (R1 or R2). The median RFS was 13 months (range 0~22 months). For RFS, EPNI on baseline CT (hazard ratio (HR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.116-5.733, p = 0.026) and TRG (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.000-3.076, p = 0.046) were important predictors of early recurrence. The mean OS was 48 months (range 11~35 months). For OS, TRG (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.251-6.559, p = 0.013) was a significant factor. However, there were no independent predictors for residual tumors according to the CT findings. CONCLUSION: EPNI on baseline CT and TRG were important prognostic factors for tumor recurrence. In addition, TRG was also an important prognostic factor for OS. KEY POINTS • CT and histopathological findings are helpful for predicting early recurrence and poor survival. • EPNI on baseline CT (HR 2.53, p = 0.026) is an important predictor of early recurrence. • The TRG is an important prognostic factor for early recurrence (HR 1.76, p = 0.046) and poor survival (HR 1.05, p = 0.013).