Oncologic resection of pancreatic cancer with isolated liver metastasis: Favorable outcomes in select patients

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPatients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and liver metastasis are treated with palliative chemotherapy, whereas similar patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are considered for aggressive surgery.MethodsUsing an institutional database, PDAC patients undergoing liver resection for isolated metastasis were identified. Their overall survival (OS), treatment factors, and clinicopathological variables associated with survival were also evaluated.ResultsForty‐seven patients underwent curative‐intent surgery for metastatic PDAC to the liver between 2000 and 2019. Median OS was 21.9 months from diagnosis. Fourteen patients underwent unplanned resection of radiographically occult liver metastasis during pancreatectomy with median OS of 8.7 months. On the other hand, 29 patients received systemic chemotherapy followed by planned resection; this cohort had the most favorable prognosis following aggressive surgery with median OS being 38.1 months from diagnosis and 24.1 months from surgery. Preoperative chemotherapy (HR = 7.1; p = .002) and moderate to well differentiation of the primary tumor (HR = 3.7; p = .003) were associated with prolonged survival in multivariate analysis, whereas lymph node metastases, response to preoperative therapy, number of liver metastasis, and extent of liver surgery were not.ConclusionsIn select patients with PDAC and isolated liver metastasis, curative‐intent surgery can result in meaningful survival. This aggressive approach seems most beneficial in patients following induction chemotherapy.