Concurrent resections of pancreatic islet cell cancers with synchronous hepatic metastases: outcomes of an aggressive approach.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic islet cell cancers are often characterized by the presence of endocrinopathies, an indolent clinical course, and a propensity for hepatic metastases. Hepatic metastases are associated with a negative impact on survival. The role of concurrent resections of pancreatic islet cell cancers and the hepatic metastases has not been defined.


METHODS
The records of all consecutive patients undergoing concurrent resections of pancreatic islet cell cancers and their hepatic metastases between 1980 and 1998 were reviewed. Outcomes regarding overall progression-free and symptom-free survival and perioperative morbidity and mortality were assessed.


RESULTS
All 23 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Six major (> or = 3 segments) and 17 minor (c3 segments) partial hepatectomies were performed. Complete gross resection of cancer (R0/R1) were performed in 9 patients and debulking resections (R2) (<10% residual tumor volume) in 14 patients. There were no perioperative deaths. Major complications occurred in 4 patients (18%). Overall, progression-free, and symptom-free survival was 71% (median: 76 months), 5% (median: 21 months), and 24% (median: 26 months), respectively, at 5 years. Conclusions. These data support aggressive concurrent resection of the pancreatic islet cell cancers and synchronic hepatic metastases when technically feasible. Because disease progression is frequent and the major cause of death, investigations of adjuvant and adjunctive therapies are warranted.
Sarmiento
Juan M
JM
Division of Gastroenterologic and General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Que
Florencia G
FG
Grant
Clive S
CS
Thompson
Geoffrey B
GB
Farnell
Michael B
MB
Nagorney
David M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005935:Glucagonoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D013156:Splenectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome