Recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after pancreaticoduodenectomy: Is there a role for locoregional treatment?

329 Background: The majority of patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) will face recurrence. While other types of metastatic tumors are often treated with loco-regional therapy, this approach is rarely applied to metastatic PDA. We examined recurrence patterns of PDA and the potential application of loco-regional treatment. Methods: Evaluation of a prospective database of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenctomy at an academic institution by a single surgeon. Patients: Pancreaticoduodenectomy for PDA was performed in 95 patients between 2002 and 2012. Margin status was R0 in 88 (93%) and R1 in the remainder. Results: Overall median survival was 27 months and 1 and 3 year survival was 68% and 41%. Known recurrence occurred in 44 of 64 patients (69%) at a median of 20.9 months, while the status of 31 patients was unknown. The most common site of initial recurrence was liver (n=19, median 9.2 months post-surgery), followed by local recurrence (n=15; median 18.7 months) and lung (n=5; median 5.2 months). Patients with R0 margin vs R1 recurred at a median 21 vs 5 months. In our series, 6 patients (5/6 treated in the last 2 years) underwent loco-regional treatment of recurrent disease, including liver resection (n=2), stereotactic radiotherapy (n=2), hepatic ablation (n=1) or radioembolization (n=1). All 6 patients treated with loco-regional therapy are alive at a median of 15.6 months after recurrence and a median of 25.3 months since initial surgery. Conclusions: The initial site of recurrent PDA after pancreaticoduodenectomy is usually liver, and the major risk factor for recurrence is the margin status at resection. Loco-regional modalities for the treatment of recurrent PDA hold promise in select patients. The tendency to utilize loco-regional therapy for recurrent PDA is increasing and warrants continued consideration.