Invasive Invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms Research Articles

The impact of lymph node involvement on adjuvant chemotherapy and survival in patients with resected invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: a propensity score matching study based on SEER database and external validation

Background: Limited knowledge and guidelines exist for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). This study aims to explore the significance of lymph node involvement on adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for invasive IPMN. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with invasive IPMN were selected from both the SEER database and our hospital. Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazards model, and propensity score matching (PSM) were employed in this study. Results: In the SEER group, multivariate analysis involving 775 patients revealed that several factors including age, tumor differentiation, AJCC-T staging, N staging, and TNM stage significantly influenced overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Turning to the Zhongshan Hospital group (ZS group), which had 94 recruited patients, multivariate analysis for OS, CSS, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) showed that AJCC N staging emerged as the most significant risk factor, with HR values of 4.664, 4.955, and 3.175, respectively. In subgroup analysis, ACT provided survival advantages for patients with positive lymph node metastasis (LNM). In a PSM analysis focused on patients with positive LNM, the comparison revealed that ACT emerged as a critical factor influencing both OS and CSS (both p<0.005). Especially, these patients younger than 60 year old, or those with AJCC-T2-N+ staging were found to get apparently benefit from ACT as revealed by our subgroup interaction analysis. Conclusion: LNM plays a pivotal role in the management of invasive IPMN patients underwent surgery, and ACT might be a beneficial therapeutic option for individuals concurrent with LNM, particularly among those younger than 60 year old, or with AJCC-T2-N+ staging.

Margin-negative minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy following FOLFIRINOX neoadjuvant chemotherapy in invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of pancreas: a case report.

This study shows a case of neoadjuvant chemotherapy application for the management of a 34-year-old male patient diagnosed with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), for which curative margin-negative resection initially seemed challenging. Five cycles of the FOLFIRINOX regimen (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) were administered preoperatively, resulting in a significant reduction of the intraductal mass size and deformity of the main vessels. The patient subsequently underwent a successful robotic pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Postoperatively, the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX, and after 5 months, showed no signs of tumor recurrence or specific complications. These findings suggest that neoadjuvant therapy can be a potentially effective strategy even in advanced invasive IPMN. Further research is necessary to establish guidelines for its application.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and invasive intraductal papillary mucinous tumor: Different prognostic factors for different overall survival.

It is unclear whether invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) has different clinical and prognostic characteristics, beyond histological factors, when compared to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). compare prognostic features of resected PDAC and invasive IPMN METHODS: A retrospective study of patients resected for PDAC or invasive IPMN realized at Humanitas Cancer Center's Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Milan, Italy, between 2010 and 2016. Data recorded included patient demographics, onset symptoms, preoperative health status, tumor features, histology and surgical characteristics. Overall survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier and prognostic factors for survival were assessed by multivariate Cox regression. A total of 332 patients were included (PDAC, n=289; invasive IPMN, n=43). Patients with invasive IPMN had better overall survival than PDAC patients (median: 76.6 versus 25.6 months; 5-year OS rate: 65.4% vs. 14.2%; p<0.001). PDAC histology was associated with a significantly higher risk of death than IPMN (hazard ratio 1.815, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.24; p=0.044). Survival was also worse with PDAC in early-stage disease (IA-IB-IIA, N0). In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of worse survival included perineural invasion, preoperative ASA physical status ≥3 and pain at diagnosis. Patients with IPMN had a better prognosis than PDAC patients, regardless of disease stage.

Prognostic Analysis of Different Metastatic Patterns in Invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis.

Objective To evaluate the impacts of different metastatic patterns on the prognosis of patients with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Materials and Methods All patients who were diagnosed with invasive IPMN in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results SEER database (2010–2015) were included in this study. They were grouped according to different metastatic patterns. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were used for the comparison of their survival rates. The hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was analyzed using the Cox proportional-hazards model. Results A total of 2264 cases were included in this study. The most common metastatic site was the liver. The patients with the nonorgan metastasis demonstrated the best survival outcomes, while those with multiple metastases showed the worst survival outcomes. As compared to the patients with isolated liver metastasis, those with isolated lung and other organ metastases showed better overall survival rates and tumor-specific survival rates. The patients with liver, lung, multiple, and other organ metastases or of age >60 years were the independent predictors of poor prognosis. Conclusions The patients with isolated lung and other organ metastases demonstrated better survival outcomes as compared to those with isolated liver metastasis. The patients with nonorgan metastasis demonstrated the best survival outcomes, while those with multiple metastases showed the worst survival outcomes. Further studies are needed to determine a highly selected subset of patients, who might benefit from surgery or chemotherapy.

Artificial neural networks versus LASSO regression for the prediction of long-term survival after surgery for invasive IPMN of the pancreas.

Prediction of long-term survival in patients with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas may aid in patient assessment, risk stratification and personalization of treatment. This study aimed to investigate the predictive ability of artificial neural networks (ANN) and LASSO regression in terms of 5-year disease-specific survival. ANN work in a non-linear fashion, having a potential advantage in analysis of variables with complex correlations compared to regression models. LASSO is a type of regression analysis facilitating variable selection and regularization. A total of 440 patients undergoing surgical treatment for invasive IPMN of the pancreas registered in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2016 were analyzed. The dataset was prior to analysis randomly split into a modelling and test set (7:3). The accuracy, precision and F1 score for predicting mortality were 0.82, 0.83 and 0.89, respectively for ANN with variable selection compared to 0.79, 0.85 and 0.87, respectively for the LASSO-model. ANN using all variables showed similar accuracy, precision and F1 score of 0.81, 0.85 and 0.88, respectively compared to a logistic regression analysis. McNemar´s test showed no statistical difference between the models. The models showed high and similar performance with regard to accuracy and precision for predicting 5-year survival status.

Adjuvant therapy in invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas: a systematic review.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a cystic tumor with a disease spectrum ranging from low-grade dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. The evidence for adjuvant treatment in invasive IPMN is limited and mostly derived from studies in conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We performed a systematic review focusing on all clinical studies concerning the efficacy of adjuvant therapy in patients with invasive IPMN. We identified 8 retrospective cohort studies, using either adjuvant chemotherapy alone (n=1), adjuvant radiotherapy alone (n=1) or adjuvant chemotherapy in combination with radiation (n=6). Adjuvant therapy was associated with a survival benefit in 7 out of the 8 studies. Specific survival benefit was noted for patients with node-positive disease, higher TNM stage, positive resection margins, poor differentiation and tubular subtype. We conclude that adjuvant therapy may be beneficial in invasive IPMN, but current data suggest that it should be given selectively based on individual tumor characteristics. Further prospective, randomized studies are warranted.

AJCC 7th edition staging classification is more applicable than AJCC 8th edition staging classification for invasive IPMN

BackgroundBoth the 7th and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging systems have been introduced for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, the applicability of these classifications for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) has not been systematically examined.MethodsPatients with invasive IPMN were retrieved from a cohort of 18 geographical sites (1973–2014 varying) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry. The 7th and 8th editions of the AJCC staging were compared. Survival rates and multivariate analyses were computed.ResultsIn total, 1216 patients with resected invasive IPMN were included. A major difference between the 7th and 8th systems is the definition of stage IIA (7th, beyond the pancreas without involvement of major arteries; 8th, maximum tumor diameter > 4 cm). The hazard ratio (HR) of stage IIA disease (versus stage IA, HR = 2.33, P < 0.001) was higher than that of stage IB disease (HR = 1.48, P = 0.087) by the 7th edition classification, whereas the HR of stage IIA disease (HR = 1.26, P = 0.232) was even lower than that of stage IB disease (HR = 1.48, P = 0.040) by the 8th edition classification. In addition, for the 8th edition staging system, tumor size was not a predictor of survival in patients with resectable tumor > 2 cm (size > 4 cm versus > 2 ≤ 4 cm, HR = 0.91, P = 0.420).ConclusionsThe AJCC 7th edition staging classification is more applicable than the 8th edition classification for invasive IPMN.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Pancreatic Cancer by Histological Subtypes.

Except pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer has several uncommon histological subtypes, including invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET), adenosquamous carcinoma, invasive mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), acinar cell carcinoma (ACC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and invasive solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT). However, features of theses uncommon subtypes are not systematically analyzed. Subjects with different histological subtypes of pancreatic cancers were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Characteristics and behaviors of uncommon subtypes were compared. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (85.8%) represented most primary pancreatic cancers, and other subtypes were rare (14.2%). Features of uncommon subtypes included females with SPT and MCN, located at the pancreatic body/tail of pNET, SPT, and MCN; poor differentiation of adenosquamous carcinoma and SCC; and large size of MCN, SPT, ACC, and SCC. In addition, IPMN, pNET, MCN, ACC, and SPT were indolent. For indolent subtypes, patients with locoregional tumor had prominent prognosis compared with patients with distant disease, especially for invasive IPMN (median survival, localized, 30.0 months; regional, 11.0 months; distant, 4.0 months). The study systematically summarizes characteristics and behaviors of primary pancreatic cancer by histological subtypes, which can facilitate the management of pancreatic cancer.

Invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: relationships between mural nodules detected on thin-section contrast-enhanced MDCT and invasive components.

To elucidate the relationships between mural nodules (MNs) and invasive components in patients with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) on the basis of thin-section contrast-enhanced multidetector CT (CE-MDCT) and pathologic findings. This retrospective study included 28 patients with surgically confirmed invasive IPMN. Two radiologists independently evaluated the thin-section (1-mm section thickness, no overlap) triple-phase CE-MDCT images for MNs, invasive components, and the continuity between them using a five-point scale (confidence scores of 1-3 as negative, 4 and 5 as positive). Kappa statistic was used to evaluate interobserver agreement. The CE-MDCT findings were correlated with pathologic findings. Interobserver agreement was good or excellent. MNs consisting of tumor cells were recognized in 12 (42.9%) of 28 patients with no discrepancy between the two radiologists. Invasive components were detected in 85.7% and 82.1% in the pancreatic parenchymal phase for radiologist 1 and 2, respectively, and recognized as hypoattenuating areas. Pathologic continuities between MNs and invasive components were confirmed in five (41.7%) of 12 patients with MNs and these were detected on CE-MDCT. When combined seven patients without continuities between MNs and invasive components and 16 patients without MNs, the invasive components pathologically derived from non-nodular low-height papillary epithelium in 23 (82.1%) of 28 patients. The invasive components derived more often from low-height papillary epithelium without MN appearance on CE-MDCT than from MN. Careful attention should be paid to the existence of an invasive component even in the absence of an enhancing MN.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved postoperative survival in specific subtypes of invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) of the pancreas: it is time for randomized controlled data

BackgroundVery little is known about adjuvant chemotherapy for invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas. The aim was to assess whether adjuvant chemotherapy affects survival. MethodsRetrospective evaluation of invasive IPMNs. Patients treated with surgery alone or followed by adjuvant chemotherapy were compared in terms of survival. ResultsA total of 102 invasive IPMNs were analyzed. Median follow-up was 72 (5–318) months and 18.6% received adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall, recurrence rate was 40.2%, while 5-year overall survival and disease specific survival (DSS) were 65.3% and 69.4%, respectively. N1 disease (HR5.58, CI95% 2.49–12.51, p < 0.01), tubular type (HR2.35, CI95% 1.71–4.82, p = 0.05) and G3 tumors (HR4.54, CI95% 2.12–15.49, <0.01) were predictors of reduced DSS. Overall, there was no difference in the 5-year DSS comparing patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy to surgery alone (61.8 vs. 69.4%, p = 0.8). Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved DSS only in N1 (5-years-DSS 76 vs. 35.8%, p = 0.01) and tubular carcinomas (5-years-DSS 88.9 vs. 53%, p = 0.03). ConclusionsAdjuvant therapy improves survival only in invasive IPMNs with nodal disease or tubular differentiation. Future trials are needed to improve the level of evidence about adjuvant chemotherapy.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid proteins associated with malignancy in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

BackgroundThe application of advanced imaging technologies for identifying pancreatic cysts has become widespread. However, accurately differentiating between low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) remains a diagnostic challenge with current biomarkers, necessitating the development of novel biomarkers that can distinguish IPMN malignancy.MethodsCyst fluid samples were collected from nine IPMN patients (3 LGD, 3 HGD, and 3 invasive IPMN) during their pancreatectomies. An integrated proteomics approach that combines filter-aided sample preparation, stage tip-based high-pH fractionation, and high-resolution MS was applied to acquire in-depth proteomic data of pancreatic cyst fluid and discover marker candidates for IPMN malignancy. Biological processes of differentially expressed proteins that are related to pancreatic cysts and aggressive malignancy were analyzed using bioinformatics tools such as gene ontology analysis and Ingenuity pathway analysis. In order to confirm the validity of the marker candidates, 19 cyst fluid samples were analyzed by western blot.ResultsA dataset of 2992 proteins was constructed from pancreatic cyst fluid samples. A subsequent analysis found 2963 identified proteins in individual samples, 2837 of which were quantifiable. Differentially expressed proteins between histological grades of IPMN were associated with pancreatic diseases and malignancy according to ingenuity pathway analysis. Eighteen biomarker candidates that were differentially expressed across IPMN histological grades were discovered—7 DEPs that were upregulated and 11 that were downregulated in more malignant grades. HOOK1 and PTPN6 were validated by western blot in an independent cohort, the results of which were consistent with our proteomic data.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that novel biomarker candidates for IPMN malignancy can be discovered through proteomic analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid.

Predictive value of low serum pancreatic enzymes in invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

BackgroundDespite evidence suggesting a role of chronic pancreatitis in pancreatic carcinogenesis, its relationship with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) remains unclear. Low levels of pancreatic enzymes are predictive markers of advanced chronic pancreatitis. We investigated whether low pancreatic enzyme levels were associated with a higher incidence of invasive IPMN. MethodsThis study included 146 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection of IPMN between April 2001 and October 2014. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between serum pancreatic enzymes and the incidence of invasive IPMN, with adjustment for clinical characteristics including alcohol consumption. The association of serum pancreatic enzymes with pathological pancreatic atrophy and inflammation in areas adjacent to or distant from the tumor was also evaluated. ResultsLow serum levels of pancreatic amylase and lipase were associated with a higher incidence of invasive IPMN (multivariable odds ratio [OR] = 9.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.99 to 35.1, P = 0.0001; OR = 14.2, 95% CI = 2.77 to 112, P = 0.001, respectively). Low serum pancreatic amylase and lipase levels were also associated with higher grade pancreatic atrophy in areas adjacent to the tumor (P = 0.011 and P = 0.017, respectively) and in areas distant from the tumor (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, low serum pancreatic amylase and lipase levels were associated with higher grade inflammation in areas distant from the tumor (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.001, respectively). ConclusionsLow serum pancreatic enzymes may be a predictive marker of invasive IPMN. Excessive alcohol consumption did not influence the association of low pancreatic enzyme levels with invasive IPMN.

The efficacy of adjuvant therapy for pancreatic invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).

The literature investigating pancreatic invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) has largely come from small institutional studies, preventing adequately powered comparisons of adjuvant therapy versus surgery alone (SA) within specific patient subgroups. Patients with resected, stage I through IV, invasive IPMN and conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) were identified in the National Cancer Data Base (1998-2010). Cox modeling of patients with invasive IPMN was used to compare overall survival (OS) between patients who received adjuvant therapy and those who underwent SA. A second model was used to compare OS between patients with invasive IPMN and those with PDAC. For the 1220 patients with invasive IPMN, the median OS was 28.9 months; the 1-year and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 76% and 17%, respectively; and 47% received adjuvant therapy. Cox modeling associated SA with worse OS (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.58; P = .00005) as well as American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM stage III/IV disease, positive lymph node status, positive margins, and poor tumor differentiation (all P ≤ .05). In addition, Cox modeling stratified by the following characteristics demonstrated improved OS with adjuvant therapy: AJCC TNM stage II or III/IV, positive lymph node status, positive margins, and poorly differentiated tumors. There was no survival advantage from adjuvant therapy for patients who had AJCC TNM stage I or lymph node-negative disease. Patients who had invasive IPMN had improved risk-adjusted OS compared with those who had PDAC (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.78; P < .00001). Invasive IPMN appears to be more indolent than conventional PDAC. Adjuvant therapy is associated with improved OS compared with SA in patients with invasive IPMN, especially for those with higher stage disease, positive lymph nodes, positive margins, or poorly differentiated tumors. Conversely, this benefit does not extend to patients with stage I or lymph node-negative disease.

An increased total resected lymph node count benefits survival following pancreas invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms resection: an analysis using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end result registry database.

BackgroundThe therapeutic effect of lymph node dissection for pancreas invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) remains unclear. The study investigated whether cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) rates among invasive IPMN patients improve when more lymph nodes are harvested during surgery.Study DesignThe study cohort was retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The lymph node count was categorized into quartiles. The relationship between lymph node count and survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves and a Cox proportional-hazards model. The stage migration was assessed by Chi-square tests. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize confounding variables between groups.ResultsIn total, 1,080 patients with resected invasive IPMNs from 1992 to 2011 were included. Univariate and multivariate Cox models indicated that an increased lymph node count independently improves survival. The Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests identified 16 nodes as an optimal cut-off value that yielded a significant survival benefit for all invasive IPMN patients. The stage migration effect existed in this cohort. After PSM, the 5-year CSS increased from 36% to 47%, and the median survival rate increased from 30 months to 40 months by increasing the lymph node count to over 16, alone. The 5-year OS rate also provided additional support for this result.ConclusionIncreased lymph node counts were associated with improved survival in invasive IPMN patients. One cut-off value of lymph node count was 16 for this improvement.

MUC1 and HER2 might be associated with invasive phenotype of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the biomarkers which distinguish invasive Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) from noninvasive IPMNs. In tumor specimens from sixty patients with IPMNs (42 noninvasive IPMNs and 18 invasive IPMNs) who underwent surgical resection at our institute, we analyzed the correlation between the immunohistochemical expression level of MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, p53, VEGFR2, HER2, and HER3. The 5-year survival rate was 100% in noninvasive IPMNs, while that of invasive IPMNs was only 36.5%. MUC1, MUC4, HER2 and HER3 were significantly associated with invasive IPMNs in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that MUC1 and HER2 were significantly associated with invasive IPMNs. The 5-year survival of IPMN patients with either MUC1-positive and/or HER2-positive (54.5%) is significantly poorer than that of IPMN patients with MUC1 negative and HER2 negative (100%). MUC1 and HER2 might be closely associated with invasive phenotype of IPMNs.

Chemotherapy for Metastatic Invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) of the Pancreas

Context IPMNs are intraductal mucin-producing cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. The incidence of these neoplasms is rising and it has been reported in recent works that IPMNs account for approximately 25% of resected pancreatic neoplasms. It has been described that recurrence of disease is observed in 26-65% of patients resected for invasive IPMN (also named papillary mucinous carcinoma), usually within 3 years from surgery and often in form of distant disease. The natural history of metastatic invasive IPMNs is not clear and few data regarding the role of palliative treatments are available. Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of this disease and the response to medical treatment. Methods We retrospectively collected data about patients with diagnosis of metastatic invasive IPMN who were treated with palliative chemotherapy at our institution from 2008 to 2012. Results Thirteen patients (M/F 8/5) affected by metastatic invasive IPMN were identified. Median age was 69 years (range 64-81). Most patients (12, 92%) had a recurrence after radical resection while one patient had synchronous metastases. All patients were treated with first line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy: seven (54%) patients received gemcitabine mono­therapy; six (46%) received the combination of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin. All patients except one experienced disease progression and 6 died. Two (15%) patients experienced partial response with first-line chemotherapy; 6 (46%) had stable disease while 5 (38%) showed disease progression. The estimated median progression-free survival was 9.6 months. Eight patient received also further lines of chemotherapy. Median overall survival was 15.4 months. Conclusion Our results confirm that metastatic invasive IPMNs have a dismal prognosis. The outcome of these patients is similar to patients affected by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In the absence of prospective clinical trials conducted in patients with this histology, the choice of chemotherapy should be based on data about pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Lung Progression After Resection for Invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) of the Pancreas

Context IPMNs are intraductal mucin-producing cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. The incidence of these neoplasms is rising and it has been recently reported that IPMNs account for approximately 25% of resected pancreatic neoplasms. It has been described that recurrence of disease is observed in 26-65% of patients resected for invasive IPMN (also named papillary mucinous carcinoma), usually within 3 years from surgery and often in form of distant disease. However, in clinical trials of adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer patients with disease free survival as primary end-point, the postoperative work-up included only abdominal evaluation. Objective The main aim of our study was to evaluate the pattern of recurrence for patients resected for invasive IPMNs in order to better understand the natural history of disease and to optimize the follow up procedures. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of patients who underwent radical surgical resection for invasive IPMN at University Hospital of Pisa, Italy, and who were adequately followed up at our institution; for these patients, total body computer tomography (CT) was repeated every 3 to 6 months for the first three years after surgical resection. Results Twenty-nine patients (M/F 16/13) progressed after resection for invasive IPMN were identified. Median age was 70 years (range 61-86 years). Disease progression occurred in form of liver metastases for 12 (41%) of them (with liver-only disease in 5 patients), lymph node involvement in 8 (28%), peritoneal carcinosis in 4 (14%), local recurrence in 5 (17%) and finally lung metastases in 14 (48%) patients; for 7 (24%) of these patients lung was the only site of progression. Median overall survival from evidence of metastases was 13.0 months. Conclusion We observed a high percentage of lung metastases as first and unique site of progression in patients resected for invasive IPMN. These data suggest the importance to perform chest CT as pre-operative and follow up exam in order to obtain an optimal staging and to early detect lung metastases.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Invasive Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas: an Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry

Management and outcomes of patients with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas are not well established. We investigated whether adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) improved cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) among patients undergoing surgical resection for invasive IPMN. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry was used in this retrospective cohort study. All adult patients with resection of invasive IPMN from 1988 to 2007 were included. CSS and OS were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Unadjusted and propensity-score-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards modeling were used for subgroup analyses. 972 patients were included. Adjuvant RT was administered to 31.8% (n=309) of patients. There was no difference in overall median CSS or OS in patients who received adjuvant RT (5-year CSS: 26.5 months; 5-year OS: 23.5 months) versus those who did not (CSS: 28.5 months, P=0.17; OS: 23.5 months, P=0.23). Univariate predictors of survival were lymph node (LN) involvement, T4-classified tumors, and poorly differentiated tumor grade (all P<0.05). In the propensity-score-adjusted analysis, adjuvant RT was associated with improved 5-year CSS [hazard ratio (HR): 0.67, P=0.004] and 5-year OS (HR: 0.73, P=0.014) among all patients with LN involvement, though further analysis by T-classification demonstrated no survival differences among patients with T1/T2 disease; patients with T3/T4-classified tumors had improved CSS (HR: 0.71, P=0.022) but no difference in OS (HR: 0.76, P=0.06). On propensity-score-adjusted analysis, adjuvant RT was associated with improved survival in selected subsets of patients with invasive IPMN, particularly those with T3/T4 tumors and LN involvement.

Molecular profile of apomucin and p53 protein as predictors of malignancy in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas.

Invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas show poor prognosis similar to ductal adenocarcinomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular indicators of invasion and risk factors of recurrence of IPMNs. For 46 curative resections of IPMNs, we analyzed the expression of apomucin antigens (MUC1, MUC2 and MUC5AC), p53 and Ki67 using resected specimens. All 46 IPMNs were classified into 4 groups; MUC1+/p53+, MUC1+/p53-, MUC2+ and MUC1-/MUC2-. The incidence of MUC1 expression increased according to the grade of dysplasia and all of 5 invasive carcinomas expressed MUC1. None of the invasive carcinoma, but almost half of IPMNs of non-invasive carcinoma and sever dysplasia expressed MUC2. Additionally, p53 expression was limited to invasive IPMNs and a non-invasive IPMN which recurred after the operation. The Ki67 labeling index was increased according to the grade of dysplasia and was highest in the MUC1+/p53+ group. In the MUC2+ cases, Ki67 labeling index was significantly higher than that in the MUC1-/MUC2- cases. MUC5AC was expressed in all IPMNs. The expression of MUC1, MUC2 and p53 might be indicators of malignancy and the expressions of MUC1 and p53 were the predictors of tumor invasion and recurrence.

Invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: predictors of survival and role of adjuvant therapy

BackgroundAdjuvant treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been shown to improve survival. An increasingly recognized ‘subtype’ of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). It is unclear whether adjuvant treatment for invasive IPMN improves survival. This study aimed to determine the impact of adjuvant treatment in invasive IPMN. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of merged clinical databases including 412 patients undergoing resection for IPMN at two academic institutions between 1989 and 2006. ResultsOf 412 patients with IPMN who underwent pancreatectomy, 98 had invasive carcinoma. Median survival in invasive IPMN was 32months. Adjuvant treatment did not affect median survival in node-positive or node-negative invasive IPMN. Biopsy-proven recurrence of invasive IPMN occurred in 45 patients (46%). The median disease-free interval from resection to recurrence was 27months. Treatment of recurrences with chemotherapy or radiation therapy was not associated with a difference in survival; however, a subgroup of patients with recurrence in the remnant pancreas who underwent re-resection appeared to have more favourable outcomes. ConclusionsAn invasive component measuring >2cm and lymph node involvement are associated with poorer prognosis. Adjuvant therapy in invasive IPMN appears to confer no survival benefit. In selected patients with recurrence of invasive IPMN in the remnant pancreas, re-resection should be considered.