Resection of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation does not depend on improved radiographic appearance of tumor–vessel relationships

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Neoadjuvant therapy increases rates of margin-negative resection of borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (BL-PDAC). Criteria for BL-PDAC resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (NCRT) have not been clearly defined. METHODS Fifty consecutive patients with BL-PDAC who received NCRT from 2007 to 2012 were identified. Computed tomography (CT) scans pre- and post-treatment were centrally reviewed. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients (58 %) underwent resection following NCRT, while 21 (42 %) remained unresected. Patients selected for and successfully undergoing resection were more likely to have better performance status and absence of the following features on pre- and post-treatment CT: superior mesenteric vein/portal vein encasement, superior mesenteric artery involvement, tumor involvement of two or more vessels, and questionable/overt metastases (all p <0.05). Tumor volume and degree of tumor-vessel involvement did not significantly change in both groups after NCRT (all p > 0.05). The median overall survival was 22.9 months in resected versus 13.0 months in unresected patients (p < 0.001). Of patients undergoing resection, 93 % were margin-negative, 72 % were node-negative, and 54 % demonstrated moderate pathologic response to NCRT. CONCLUSION Apparent radiographic extent of vascular involvement does not change significantly after NCRT. Patients without metastatic disease should be chosen for surgical exploration based on adequate performance status and lack of disease progression.