Comparative study between uncinate process carcinoma and pancreatic head carcinoma after pancreaticodudenectomy (clincopathological features and surgical outcomes).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic head cancer is considered to have the worst prognosis of the periampullary carcinomas. The clinicopathological features of uncinate process pancreatic cancer are poorly published.

METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively studied patients who underwent pancreaticodudenectomy (PD) for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. This study included three groups of patients. Group A patients with pure pancreatic head carcinoma (PPHC), group B patients with combined head and uncinate process carcinoma (CPHUC) and group C patients with pure uncinate process carcinoma (PUPC). Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were collected.

RESULTS: The study included 157 patients. Jaundice was the most common presenting symptoms in PPHC and CPHUC. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptoms in PUPC. The mean common bile duct (CBD) and pancreatic duct diameters were significantly smallest in PUPC group (P=0.0001). The venous invasion was significantly observed more in PUPC group and vascular resection was done in 50% of cases. The number of patients with microscopically residual tumor was significantly highest in PUPC group after PD than in other two groups (P=0.001). Recurrence rate occurred in 54.2% in PUPC group, 34.8% in CPHUC group and 22.7% in PPUC group after PD (P=0.007). The median survival was 19 months in PPHC groups, 16 months in CPHUC group, 14 months in PUPC group (P= 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: PUPC presented with abdominal pain with more vascular infiltration. The recurrence rate was common after PD for uncinate process carcinoma especially locoregional recurrence and the overall survival rate was found to be lower for PUPC.