Risk of pancreatic cancer in patients undergoing surgery for chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is considered to be a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of pancreatic cancer after surgery for CP and to determine the risk factors.

The patients who underwent surgery for histologically documented CP between January 2009 and December 2017 were reviewed. The baseline characteristics, operative data, postoperative complications, and follow-up information were analysed. We calculated standardized incidence ratio on the base of the incidence of pancreatic cancer in the standard population in China. The risk factor for pancreatic cancer was assessed using Cox regression.

Among 650 patients, pancreatic cancer was detected in 12 patients (1.8%) after a median follow-up of 4.4 years. The standardized incidence ratio of pancreatic cancer was 68.12 (95% CI, 35.20-118.99). Two independent risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis after surgery were identified: time interval to surgery [HR 1.005, 95% CI (1.002-1.008), P = 0.002] and de novo endocrine insufficiency [HR 10.672, 95% CI (2.567-44.372), P = 0.001].

Patients who require surgery for CP are at a very high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Early surgical intervention plays a protective role in the development of pancreatic cancer from CP. A high index of suspicion for pancreatic cancer should be maintained in CP patients with de novo postoperative diabetes after surgery.