Surgery Improves Survival After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Borderline and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has become part of the multimodality treatment for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: It is currently uncertain which are the preferable NAT regimens, who benefits from surgery, and whether more aggressive surgical strategy is motivated. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed for all patients with BRPC/LAPC discussed and planned for NAT at multidisciplinary conference at Karolinska University Hospital from 2010 to 2017. RESULTS: Of 233 patients eligible, 168 (72%) received NAT and were reevaluated for possibility of resection. A total of 156 (67%) patients (mean 64 yrs, 53% male) had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, comprising the study group for survival analysis. LAPC was diagnosed in 132 patients (85%), BRPC in 22 (14%), and resectable tumor in 2 (1.3%). Fifty patients (40.3%) received full-dose NAT. Only 54 (34.6%) had FOLFIRINOX. The overall survival among resected patients was similar for BRPC and LAPC (median survival 15.0 vs 14.5 mo, P = 0.4; and 31.9 vs 21.8 mo, P = 0.7, respectively). Resected patients had better survival than nonresected, irrespective of the type or whether full-dose NAT was given (median survival 22.4 vs 12.7 mo; 1-, 3-, and 5-yr survival: 86.4%, 38.9%, 26.9% vs 52.2%, 1.5%, 0%, respectively (P < 0001). For all preoperative values of Ca 19-9, surgical resection had positive impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS: All patients with BRPC/LAPC who do not progress during NAT should be considered for surgical resection, irrespective of the type or dose of NAT given. Higher levels of Ca 19-9 should not be considered an absolute contraindication for resection.