Factors influencing prognosis and indications for curative pancreatectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas.

The factors influencing prognosis and the indications for curative resection by radical pancreatectomy were evaluated in 74 patients treated with pancreatectomy for ductal cell carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. The 5-yr survival rates for patients without lymph node metastasis, capsular invasion, portal system involvement, or retroperitoneal invasion were 21.2, 20.2, 25.5, and 19.6%, respectively; the 5-yr survival rate for patients with lymph node metastasis or capsular invasion was 5.3% and 6.4%, respectively, and the 2-yr survival rate for patients with portal system involvement or retroperitoneal invasion was 0%. The 5-yr survival rate for 32 patients treated with radical pancreatectomy was 33.4%, and the 3-yr survival rate for 42 patients treated with nonradical pancreatectomy was 0%. Our results suggest that, in patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas without factors limiting prognosis, curative resection by radical pancreatectomy is feasible; however, in patients with positive factors, particularly portal system involvement or retroperitoneal invasion, a comprehensive therapeutic program combining extensive surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy is necessary to obtain better results.