Differences between main-duct and branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas

In the last decade,intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(IPMNs) have become commonly diagnosed.From a morphological standpoint,they are classified in main-duct IPMNs(MD-IPMNs) and branch-duct IPMNs(BD-IPMNs),depending on the type of involvement of the pancreatic ductal system by the neoplasm.Despite the fact that our understanding of their natural history is still incomplete,recent data indicate that MD-IPMNs and BD-IPMNs show significant differences in terms of biological behaviour with MD-IPMNs at higher risk of malignant degeneration.In the present paper,clinical and epidemiological characteristics,rates of malignancy and the natural history of MD-IPMNs and BD-IPMNs are analyzed.The profile of IPMNs involving both the main pancreatic duct and its side branches(combined-IPMNs) are also discussed.Finally,general recommendations for management based on these differences are given.

Percutaneous ablation of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive tumor with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Prognosis and treatment depend on whether the tumor is resectable or not, which mostly depends on how quickly the diagnosis is made. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be both used in cases of nonresectable pancreatic cancer. In cases of pancreatic neoplasm that is locally advanced, non-resectable, but non-metastatic, it is possible to apply percutaneous treatments that are able to induce tumor cytoreduction. The aim of this article will be to describe the multiple currently available treatment techniques(radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryoablation, and irreversible electroporation), their results, and their possible complications, with the aid of a literature review.

Radiofrequency ablation of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma:An overview

Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)of pancreatic neoplasms is restricted to locally advanced,non-resectable but nonmetastatic tumors.RFA of pancreatic tumors is nowadays an ultrasound-guided procedure performed during laparotomy in open surgery.Intraoperative ultrasound covers the mandatory role of staging,evaluation of feasibility,guidance and monitoring of the procedure.Different types of needle can be used.The first aim in the evaluation of RFA as a treatment for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,in order of evaluation but not of importance,is to determine the feasibility of the procedure.The second aim is to establish the effect of RFA on tumoral mass in terms of necrosis andcytoreduction.The most important aim,third in order of evaluation,is the potential improvement of quality of life and survival rate.Nowadays,only a few studies assess the feasibility of the procedure.The present paper is an overview of RFA for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Comparison of imaging-based and pathological dimensions in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

AIM To establish the ability of magnetic resonance(MR) and computer tomography(CT) to predict pathologic dimensions of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors(Pan NET) in a caseload of a tertiary referral center.METHODS Patients submitted to surgery for Pan NET at the Surgical Unit of the Pancreas Institute with at least 1 preoperative imaging examination(MR or CT scan) from January 2005 to December 2015 were included and data retrospectively collected. Exclusion criteria were: multifocal lesions, genetic syndromes, microadenomas or mixed tumors, metastatic disease and neoadjuvant therapy. Bland-Altman(BA) and Mountain-Plot(MP) statistics were used to compare size measured by each modality with the pathology size. Passing-Bablok(PB) regression analysis was used to check the agreement between MR and CT.RESULTS Our study population consisted of 292 patients. Seventy-nine(27.1%) were functioning Pan NET. The mean biases were 0.17 ± 7.99 mm, 1 ± 8.51 mm and 0.23 ± 9 mm, 1.2 ± 9.8 mm for MR and CT, considering the overall population and the subgroup of non-functioning-Pan NET, respectively. Limits of agreement(LOA) included the vast majority of observations, indicating a good agreement between imaging and pathology. The MP further confirmed this finding and showed that the two methods are unbiased with respect to each other. Considering ≤ 2 cm non-functioning-Pan NET, no statistical significance was found in the size estimation rate of MR and CT(P = 0.433). PBR analysis did not reveal significant differences between MR, CT and pathology.CONCLUSION MR and CT scan are accurate and interchangeable imaging techniques in predicting pathologic dimensions of Pan NET.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients ≥ 75 years of age:Are there any differences with other age ranges in oncological and surgical outcomes? Results from a tertiary referral center

AIM To compare surgical and oncological outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) in patients ≥ 75 years of age with two younger cohorts of patients. METHODS The prospectively maintained Institutional database of pancreatic resection was queried for patients aged ≥ 75 years(late elderly, LE) submitted to PD for any disease from January 2010 to June 2015. We compared clinical, demographic and pathological features and survival outcomes of LE patients with 2 exact matched cohorts of younger patients [≥ 40 to 64 years of age(adults, A) and ≥ 65 to 74 years of age(young elderly, YE)] submitted to PD, according to selected variables. RESULTS The final LE population, as well as the control groups, were made of 96 subjects. Up to 71% of patients was operated on for a periampullary malignancy and pancreatic cancer(PDAC) accounted for 79% of them. Intraoperative data(estimated blood loss and duration of surgery) did not differ among the groups. The overall complication rate was 65.6%, 61.5% and 58.3% for LE, YE and A patients, respectively, P = NS). Reoperation and cardiovascular complications were significantly more frequent in LE than in YE and A groups(P = 0.003 and P = 0.019, respectively). When considering either all malignancies and PDAC only, the three groups did not differ in survival. Considering all benign diseases, the estimated mean survival was 58 and 78 mo for ≥ and < 75 years of age(YE + A groups), respectively(P = 0.012). CONCLUSION Age is not a contraindication for PD. A careful selection of LE patients allows to obtain good surgical and oncological results.

Computed tomography-based radiomic to predict resectability in locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy

BACKGROUND Surgical resection after neoadjuvant treatment is the main driver for improved survival in locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC).However,the diagnostic performance of computed tomography(CT)imaging to evaluate the residual tumour burden at restaging after neoadjuvant therapy is low due to the difficulty in distinguishing neoplastic tissue from fibrous scar or inflammation.In this context,radiomics has gained popularity over conventional imaging as a complementary clinical tool capable of providing additional,unprecedented information regarding the intratumor heterogeneity and the residual neoplastic tissue,potentially serving in the therapeutic decision-making process.AIM To assess the capability of radiomic features to predict surgical resection in LAPC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.METHODS Patients with LAPC treated with intensive chemotherapy followed by ablative radiation therapy were retrospectively reviewed.One thousand six hundred and fifty-five radiomic features were extracted from planning CT inside the gross tumour volume.Both extracted features and clinical data contribute to create and validate the predictive model of resectability status.Patients were repeatedly divided into training and validation sets.The discriminating performance of each model,obtained applying a LASSO regression analysis,was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).The validated model was applied to the entire dataset to obtain the most significant features.RESULTS Seventy-one patients were included in the analysis.Median age was 65 years and 57.8%of patients were male.All patients underwent induction chemotherapy followed by ablative radiotherapy,and 19(26.8%)ultimately received surgical resection.After the first step of variable selections,a predictive model of resectability was developed with a median AUC for training and validation sets of 0.862(95%CI:0.792-0.921)and 0.853(95%CI:0.706-0.960),respectively.The validated model was applied to the entire dataset and 4 features were selected to build the model with predictive performance as measured using AUC of 0.944(95%CI:0.892-0.996).CONCLUSION The present radiomic model could help predict resectability in LAPC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy,potentially integrating clinical and morphological parameters in predicting surgical resection.

Neoadjuvant treatment:A window of opportunity for nutritional prehabilitation in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Patients affected by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)frequently present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis,limiting an upfront surgical approach.Neoadjuvant treatment(NAT)has become the standard of care to downstage non-metastatic locally advanced PDAC.However,this treatment increases the risk of a nutritional status decline,which in turn,may impact therapeutic tolerance,postoperative outcomes,or even prevent the possibility of surgery.Literature on prehabilitation programs on surgical PDAC patients show a reduction of postoperative complications,length of hospital stay,and readmission rate,while data on prehabilitation in NAT patients are scarce and randomized controlled trials are still missing.Particularly,appropriate nutritional management represents an important therapeutic strategy to promote tissue healing and to enhance patient recovery after surgical trauma.In this regard,NAT may represent a new interesting window of opportunity to implement a nutritional prehabilitation program,aiming to increase the PDAC patient’s capacity to complete the planned therapy and potentially improve clinical and survival outcomes.Given these perspectives,this review attempts to provide an in-depth view of the nutritional derangements during NAT and nutritional prehabilitation program as well as their impact on PDAC patient outcomes.

The role of the robot-assisted procedure during total pancreatectomy: a viewpoint

We read with great interest the article published in HepatoBiliary Surgery and Nutrition,“Robotic-assisted versus open total pancreatectomy:a propensity score-matched study”(1).Total pancreatectomy(TP)is a complex procedure,primarily performed for diseases involving the entire pancreas,which is increasing its diffusion due to a wide range of pancreatic diseases,including main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

Unmet needs in preoperative biliary stenting for patient candidates for pancreaticoduodenectomy: a viewpoint

We read with great interest the article published in Annals of Surgery, "Preoperative Biliary Stenting and Major Morbidity After Pancreatoduodenectomy: Does Elapsed Time Matter? The FRAGERITA Study Group" (1). The timing of preoperative biliary stenting (PBS) and its impact on postoperative outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are ever-burning issues for pancreatologists dealing with jaundice due to periampullary tumors.