The feasibility of R0 resection of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) encasing major visceral arteries (T4 lesions) using arterial resection and reconstruction: Short- and long-term outcomes.

Abstract

243 Background: LAPC is found in about 40% of patients with pancreatic cancer at initial presentation. Tumors involving major visceral arteries are commonly deemed unresectable. In this study we analyzed the feasibility of R0 resection of LAPC encasing major visceral arteries using arterial resection and reconstruction. Methods: The following data were collected prospectively following pancreatic resection with vascular reconstruction in patients with LAPC: age, gender, operative details, post-operative complications, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and overall and disease free survival. Patient survival was calculated utilizing Kaplan-Meier survival probability estimates. Results: From Dec., 2002 to Sep., 2012, 12 patients with LAPC (8 males and 4 females, median age 58.5 yrs (range: 51–78 yrs)) underwent pancreatic resection with concomitant resection and reconstruction of major visceral arteries in our institution. The arterial involvement included celiac artery (n=8), and superior mesenteric artery (n=4). Resections included pancreatico-duodenectomy (n=8), distal pancreatectomy (n=3), and total pancreatectomy (n=1). Management of the arterial involvement included: resection of celiac axis without reconstruction (n=2), resection and reconstruction of one artery (n=6), two arteries (n=3) and three arteries (n=1). R0 resection was accomplished in 9, R1 in 2, and R2 in 1 patient. One patient (8%) died peri-operatively from pulmonary thromboembolism. Chemo- or chemo-radiation therapy was not protocolized. To date, 5 patients are alive and disease free at 7, 9, 11, 23 and 117 months, and 1 patient is alive with recurrence at 107 months. Six-month patient survival was 75% and median overall survival (MOS) was 19 months. Conclusions: The MOS in this patient population with systemic therapy is around 9 months. Although the sample size in our study is limited, observed MOS of 19 months is encouraging and provides the opportunity to reconsider the contraindications to surgical management of such patients with T4 LAPC. Timing of perioperative chemotherapy will be evaluated in a prospective trial.