Surgical strategy for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater on the basis of lymphatic spread and mode of recurrence.
BACKGROUND
Nodal status is one of the most important prognostic factors for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater. The pattern of lymphatic spread and mode of recurrence were analyzed by determining the frequency of nodal involvement and antemortem and postmortem examination of patients with recurrent disease.


METHODS
From 1974 to 1994, 36 patients with carcinoma of papilla of Vater underwent pancreatectomy at the Kanazawa University Hospital. A precise evaluation of the nodal involvement was determined by means of careful pathologic review of the extended lymphadenectomy specimen. The mode of recurrence was determined by use of autopsy and radiographic examinations.


RESULTS
Fifteen (42%) of 36 patients had nodal involvement. The lymph nodes with the highest metastatic rates were the inferior pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes (number 13b) and the superior mesenteric lymph nodes (number 14) (13b, 31%; 14, 17%). There were no metastases in the perigastric lymph nodes. A significant relationship existed between the gross appearance of the primary tumor and nodal involvement (protruding, 22%; mixed type, 42%; ulcerative, 100%). The 5-year survival rates were 74% in the absence of nodal metastasis versus 31% with nodal metastasis. The 5-year survival rates for patients with protruding, mixed type, and ulcerative tumors were 75%, 49%, and 17%, respectively. Survival and recurrence were significantly correlated to gross appearance and nodal involvement. Retroperitoneal recurrence and liver metastasis were main modes of recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Lymph node 13b is important in lymphatic metastasis to the superior mesenteric lymph nodes for carcinoma of papilla of Vater. Nodal dissection around the superior mesenteric artery is needed to improve the prognosis of carcinoma of papilla of Vater except in the nonexposed protruding tumor. Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy may be indicated in patients with carcinoma of the papilla of Vater.
Kayahara
M
M
Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Japan.
Nagakawa
T
T
Ohta
T
T
Kitagawa
H
H
Miyazaki
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014670:Ampulla of Vater; D003138:Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D015996:Survival Rate