[Detection of hepatic micrometastasis in ductal pancreatic carcinoma by K-ras mutation analysis and determination of clinical relevance].
In this prospective study we evaluated the presence and importance of hepatic micrometastases at the time of operation in patients with resectable pancreatic carcinoma. In 13 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 5 patients with chronic pancreatitis Truecut-Needle biopsies of the liver were obtained during operation. K-ras mutation analysis was done by the PCR/restriction digestion assay with HphI, followed by an ultrasound of the liver in 3 monthly intervals. Four of 13 (30%) pancreatic cancer patients had K-ras gene mutations in the liver and had a mean survival of 6 months after resection. All chronic pancreatitis patients and 8 of the 9 remaining pancreatic cancer patients without K-ras mutations in the liver biopsies are alive without evidence of liver metastases after a mean follow-up of 9 months. Detection of micrometastases in the liver by K-ras mutation analysis might be a powerful tool to identify occult clinical relevant liver metastases.
D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm