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Chemoradiation followed by chemotherapy before resection for borderline pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Brown KM, Siripurapu V, Davidson M, Cohen SJ, Konski A, Watson JC, Li T, Ciocca V, Cooper H, Hoffman JP

Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave Philadelphia, PA 19027, USA.

BACKGROUND: For patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, preoperative chemoradiation and standalone chemotherapy may allow for R0 resection and improved survival. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiation and standalone chemotherapy was undertaken. Clinical variables, including disease-free and overall survival, were collected. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors impacting survival. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer were treated with preoperative chemoradiation and chemotherapy. Morbidity and mortality were 38% and 0. There were 2 R1 and 11 R0 resections. Nine patients are alive with a median follow-up of 20 months. Five patients recurred at a median of 4 months. Tumor fibrosis < or = 60% was associated with recurrence and poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemoradiation and chemotherapy allow a select group of patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer to undergo an R0 or R1 resection with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Tumor response may be associated with survival.

Published 29 February 2008 in Am J Surg, 195(3): 318-21.
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