Risk factors influencing recurrence following resection of pancreatic head cancer

Whether operative procedure is a risk factor influencing recurrence following resection of carcinoma in the head of pancreas or not remains controversies. In this text we compared the recurrence rate of two operative procedure: the Whipple procedure and extended radical operation, and inquired into the factors influencing recurrence after radical resection.

From January 1995 to December 1998, 35 cases of carcinoma of pancreas underwent the Whipple operadure, 21 patients received the Extended radical operation. All patients were followed up for more than 3 years. Prognostic factors included operative procedure, size of tumor, lymph node, interstitial invasion.

Deaths duo to recurrence within 3 years after operation were studied. The death rate was 51.4% in the Whipple procedure and 42.9% in the Extended radical operative procedure. There was a significant difference between the two groups. Recurrence occurred in 75% patients with tumor large than 4 cm, in 87.5% patients with lymph node involvement, and in 50% patients with the presence of interstitial invasion.

Tumor exceeding 4 cm, lymph node involvement, and presence of interstitial invasion are high risk factors of recurrence after Whipple's procedure and extended radical operation.