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Updated: Dec 11, 2025
DIPLOMA Approach for Standardized Pathology Assessment of Distal Pancreatectomy Specimens
Published on: February 1, 2020
Recurrence patterns and postrecurrence survival after curative intent resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Hordur Kolbeinsson1, Allison Hoppe2, Aqieda Bayat2
1Spectrum Health General Surgery Residency, Grand Rapids, MI; Department of Surgery, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI.
Background:
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a high rate of recurrence after resection. We aimed to investigate patterns of recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to identify opportunities for targeted intervention toward improving survival.
Methods:
This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients that underwent curative-intent resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma between 2007 and 2015. Recurrence and survival were analyzed based on site of recurrence. Multiple clinicopathologic factors were calculated for likelihood of site-specific recurrence.
Results:
The study included 221 patients with median follow-up of 83 months. Median overall and recurrence-free survival was 19 and 13 months, respectively. Recurrence was observed in 71.9% patients. Local recurrence occurred in 16.4%, distant recurrence in 67.3%, and combined in 15.9%. The most common site of distant recurrence was the liver (49.7%) followed by lung (31.8%) and peritoneum (16.6%). Median time to liver recurrence was shortest (5 months, 95% confidence interval 1.7-8.3) and post recurrence survival was poor (4 months, 95% confidence interval 1.9-6.1). Patients with poorly differentiated tumors on pathology were 4.8 times more likely to recur in the liver (odds ratio 4.83, 95% confidence interval 1.7-13.9).
Conclusion:
Liver metastasis after resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma occurs most frequently, earliest after surgery, and is rapidly fatal. Liver-directed therapies represent a target for future study.
