Prognostic factors after pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for distal bile duct cancer.

BACKGROUND: Since 1995, we have been performing pancreatoduodenectomy with regional and para-aortic lymph node dissection for patients with distal bile duct cancer. Prognostic indicators after extended lymphadenectomy have not been fully understood. HYPOTHESIS: Pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for patients with distal bile duct cancer.
DESIGN: In a retrospective study, univariate and multivariate models were used to analyze the effect of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment factors on long-term survival.
SETTING: Oita Medical University and its affiliated hospitals in Japan. PATIENTS: From 1995 to 1999, 27 patients with distal bile duct cancer underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy. In 9 patients fluorouracil (500 mg/d) was infused continuously for 14 days after surgery as adjuvant chemotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term results.
RESULTS: In 6 patients (22%) major surgical complications occurred including 1 in-hospital death (3.7%). For 26 patients, the survival rates were 65% for 1 year and 37% for 3 and 5 years. Univariate analysis found that the absence of lymph node metastasis, no more than 2 involved nodes, and negative resection margins were predictors of survival. Multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that favorable factors for survival included up to 2 positive nodes, negative resection margins, and the use of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with up to 2 positive lymph nodes had a more favorable prognosis than that of other patients. We recommend pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with distal bile duct cancer.