Present status of periampullary cancer treatment in Korea

The incidence of periampullary cancer has been steadily risen in Korea. In the present study, we have reviewed 766 cases of surgically treated periampullary cancers, including 122 cases of our own, that were published in the Korean literatures in last ten years. The 6th decade was the most common age group, occupying 37.9% of the patients. Male to female, ratio was 1.7 to 1. C-T scan was the principal modality available for diagnosis and preoperative staging, and recorded 84% of diagnostic accuracy. The accuracy rate of PTC was 72%, ERCP of 68%, and USG of 51%, in order of frequency. For the screening of pancreatic cancer, diagnostic serologic test using serum markers such as CA 19-9, CEA, CA 125, and various combinations were studied. The combinations of these markers recorded higher positivity. Overall resectability was 36.2%. Preoperative C-T scan with antigraphy correlated with better discrimination of the resectable lesion preoperatively than C-T scan alone was performed (63% VS 46%). The morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy were 46% and 13.2%, and 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates after the resection were 68, 25, and 15%, respectively. In non-resected group, none survived at 18 months after treatment. To improve resectability; early detection, precise preoperative staging, and improved surgical approach are imperative. Future studies will be necessary to find a better multimodality therapy.