Molecular metastases in stage I pancreatic cancer: Improved survival with adjuvant chemoradiation

• Published in: Surgery 1998-10, Vol.124 (4), p.663-669
• Main Authors: Demeure, Michael J., Doffek, Kara M., Komorowski, Richard A., Redlich, Philip N., Zhu, Yong-ran, Erickson, Beth A., Ritch, Paul S., Pitt, Henry A., Wilson, Stuart D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - mortality; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adenocarcinoma - therapy; Aged; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Female; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms - mortality; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Pancreatic Neoplasms - therapy; Point Mutation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) - genetics; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate
• ISSN: 0039-6060; 1532-7361
• DOI: 10.1067/msy.1998.91487

Background: Reports of improved survival rates for patients with resected adenocarcinoma of the pancreas coincide with the adoption of adjuvant chemoradiation protocols. The impact of nodal micrometastases demonstrated by molecular assays and adjuvant therapy on survival of patients with stage I pancreatic cancer has not been adequately assessed. Methods: A retrospective analysis of postoperative chemoradiation on survival in 61 patients undergoing resection of pancreatic adenocarcinomas from 1984 to 1997 was performed. Archival tumors and regional nodes from 25 patients with stage I cancers were tested for a Kiras oncogene mutation using polymerase chain reaction and analysis for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR/RFLP). Results: Adjuvant chemoradiation was associated with improved survival for stage I (P