Redefining the Positive Margin in Pancreatic Cancer: Impact on Patterns of Failure, Long-Term Survival and Adjuvant Therapy.

Abstract

There is debate regarding the definition and clinical significance of margin clearance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). A comprehensive archival analysis of surgical resection margins was performed to determine the effect on locoregional recurrence and survival, and the impact of adjuvant therapy in PDA. We identified 105 patients with resected PDA. Pancreatic, anterior, bile duct, and posterior surgical resection margins (PM; posterior surface, uncinate and vascular groove) were identified. Three pathologists reviewed all archival surgical specimens and recategorized each margin as tumor at ink/transected, <0.5, 0.5-1, >1-2, or >2mm from the inked surface. The impact of these and other clinical variables was assessed on local control, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Among all margins, PM clearance up to 2mm was prognostic of DFS (p=0.01) and OS (p=0.01). Dichotomizing the PM at 2mm revealed it to be an independent predictor of local recurrence-free survival [hazard ratio HR] 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.048-0.881, p=0.033), DFS (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.96, p=0.03), and OS (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.74, p=0.008). A margin status of >2mm was also prognostic of OS in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.89, p=0.03), however this difference was mitigated in patients receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.10-1.58, p=0.19). These data highlight the clinical significance of the PM and the lack of significance of other resection margins. Clearance in excess of 2mm should be considered to improve long-term clinical outcomes. The use of adjuvant radiotherapy should be strongly considered in patients with PMs <2mm.