Outcome of paraaortic node-positive pancreatic head and bile duct adenocarcinoma

Background This retrospective study aimed to identify the clinicopathologic features and surgical results of paraaortic node-positive periampullary adenocarcinoma. Methods Between 1995 and 1999, 101 patients underwent pancreatectomy with regional and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Fifteen (15%) patients had histologically proven paraaortic lymph node disease. Results The 15 patients included 9 (26%) of 34 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma and 6 (17%) of 36 patients with bile duct adenocarcinoma. All 15 patients had locally advanced tumor invading adjacent structures. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 33%, 27%, and 0%, with median survival of 12 months (range 3 to 33). In patients with pancreatic head carcinoma or bile duct adenocarcinoma, survival curve for those without paraaortic lymph node metastasis was significantly better than that for those with involved paraaortic lymph nodes (P = 0.0033 or P = 0.0149). Conclusions When the paraaortic lymph nodes obtained from sampling biopsy are histologically positive, radical pancreatectomy with extended lymphatic and soft tissue clearance should be abandoned owing to poor outcome.