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Background: The optimal treatment for incidental asymptomatic pancreatic cysts is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether nonmucinous cysts by cyst-aspiration analysis can be observed safely. Methods: A prospective protocol was initiated in September of 1999 for all suspected cystic neoplasms. Asymptomatic patients with negative cyst aspirates (no extracellular mucin, and concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen in the cyst fluid <200 ng/mL) were followed-up clinically and radiographically. Results: Through December 2004, 221 patients have been evaluated, and 80 (36%) initially were operated. There were 141 (64%) patients with indeterminate cysts, 98 have been followed-up for more than 12 months. Compared with resected patients, observed patients were older (62 vs 56 y, P < .006), and had smaller cysts (2.4 vs 4.0, P = .001). At a mean follow-up period of 24 months, 4 patients (4%) were resected. The indication, time to resection, and pathology were as follows: 2 patients for symptoms (abdominal pain and obstructive jaundice) at 24 and 72 months, respectively: mucinous and serous cystadenomas; 1 patient for an increase in size (6.6 to 7.8 cm) at 18 months: lymphoepithelial cyst; and 1 patient for abdominal pain and increase in size (2.0 to 3.7 cm) at 41 months: pseudocyst. The only patient resected for a mucinous neoplasm had a cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen level of 896 ng/mL. In the remaining observed patients, 20 (23%) showed a decrease in cyst size, and 16 (19%) showed an increase in size (mean diameter change, 21%). Conclusions: Initial follow-up evaluation indicates that asymptomatic patients without evidence of a mucinous neoplasm by cyst aspiration can be followed clinically and with interval imaging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Data have indicated that the lymph node ratio ( LNR) may be a better prognostic indicator than lymph node status in pancreatic cancer. Objectives To analyse the value of the LNR in patients undergoing resection for periampullary carcinomas. Methods A cut off value of 0.2 was assigned to the LNR in accordance with published studies. The impact of histopathological factors including a LNR was analysed using Kaplan- Meier and Cox regression methods. Results In total, 551 patients undergoing a resection ( January 2000 to December 2010) were analysed. The median lymph node yield was 15, and 198 (34%) patients had a LNR > 0.2. In patients with a LNR of > 0.2, the median overall survival ( OS) was 18 versus 33 months in patients with an LNR < 0.2 ( P < 0.001). Univariate analysis demonstrated a LNR > 0.2, T and N stage, vascular or perineural invasion, grade and resection margin status to be significantly associated with OS. On multivariate analysis, only a LNR > 0.2, vascular or perineural invasion and margin positivity remained significant. In N1 disease, a LNR was able to distinguish survival in patients with a similar lymph node burden, and correlated with more aggressive tumour pathological variables. Conclusion A LNR > 0.2, and not lymph note status, is an independent prognostic factor for OS indicating the LNR should be utilized in outcome stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of asymptomatic pancreatic cysts is controversial and indications for excision are based on pathology and natural history. Objectives: This study aimed to examine outcomes of asymptomatic lesions using a protocol based on size and cyst fluid analysis. Methods: Asymptomatic cysts were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Sequential cross-sectional imaging studies were assessed, and results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided aspiration were co-analysed. Results: A total of 338 asymptomatic patients underwent evaluation. Overall, 84 cysts were <1.5 cm and 254 were ≥1.5 cm in diameter. Median patient follow-up was 5.1 years [interquartile range (IQR): 4.1-6.9 years]. In the group in which cysts measured <1.5 cm in diameter, median cyst size was 1.0 cm (IQR: 0.6-1.2 cm) at presentation and increased to 1.2 cm (IQR: 0.7-1.6 cm) during follow-up. Five (6.0%) patients underwent resection, all within 2 months of presentation. In the group in which cysts measured ≥1.5 cm in diameter, median cyst size was 2.5 cm (IQR: 2.0-3.4 cm) at presentation and increased to 2.7 cm (IQR: 3.0-4.2 cm). A total of 63 (24.8%) patients underwent resection. Surgery was performed with 2 months in 53 (84.1%) patients, within 12 months in four (6.3%) patients and at >12 months post-presentation in six (9.5%) patients. A total of 70.6% of resected specimens were identified as malignancies or mucinous lesions. Conclusions: Asymptomatic cysts of <1.5 cm in diameter can safely be followed by imaging and are expected to undergo little change. A quarter of all asymptomatic cysts measuring ≥1.5 cm are appropriately resected based on imaging and cyst fluid analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]