Variation in the surgical management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Abstract

4122 Background: Recent reports suggest patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) may become candidates for curative resection following neoadjuvant therapy, with encouraging survival outcomes. Yet the optimal management approach for LAPC remains unclear. We sought to investigate surgeon preferences for the management of patients with LAPC. Methods: An extensive electronic survey was systematically distributed by email to an international cohort of pancreas surgeons. Data collected included surgeon practice characteristics, preferences for staging and management, and 6 clinical vignettes (with detailed videos of post-neoadjuvant arterial and venous imaging) to assess attitudes regarding eligibility for surgical exploration. Results: A total of 150 eligible responses were received from 4 continents. Median duration in practice was 12 years (IQR 6-20) and 75% respondents work in a university setting. Most (84%) are considered high volume, 33% offer a minimally-invasive approach, and 48% offer arterial resection in selected patients. A majority (70%) always recommend neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 62% prefer FOLFIRINOX. Preferences for duration of neoadjuvant therapy varied widely: 39% prefer ≥2 months, 41% prefer ≥4 months, and 11% prefer 6 months or more. Forty-one percent frequently recommend neoadjuvant radiation, and 51% prefer standard chemoradiotherapy. Age ≥80 years and CA 19-9 of ≥1000 U/mL were commonly considered contraindications to exploration. In 5 clinical vignettes of LAPC, the proportion of respondents that would offer exploration following neoadjuvant varied extensively, from 15% to 54%. In a vignette of oligometastatic pancreatic liver metastases, 32% would offer exploration if a favorable biochemical and imaging response to therapy is observed. Conclusions: In an international cohort of high volume pancreas surgeons, there is substantial variation in attitudes regarding staging preferences and surgical management of LAPC. These results underscore the importance of coordinated multi-disciplinary care, and suggest an evolving concept of “resectability.” Patients and their oncologists should have a low threshold to consider a second opinion for the surgical management of LAPC, if desired.