Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Histopathological features and prognosis.

Between 1972 and 1987, curative surgical resection (RO) was performed in 81 patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. In this study, slides from surgical specimens were reviewed, and histopathological features of the carcinomas were retrospectively reevaluated. Tumor stage was the most important prognostic factor: In UICC stages I, II, and III, the median survival times were 13, 16, and 8 mo, respectively. Lymph node involvement and direct extension of the tumor into adjacent peripancreatic tissue, as well as invasion into peripancreatic organs were found to significantly influence survival. Tumor infiltration of the lymphatic vessels was present in 74% of the resected carcinomas and significantly correlated with survival time. There was no relationship between survival and tumor size; furthermore, histological grade of differentiation, age, and sex had no influence on prognosis.