Different biological behaviors in left-sided pancreatic cancer according to Yonsei criteria: Proposal of a modified Yonsei criteria score.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Our institutional experience has demonstrated that bloodless and margin-negative resection is the most potent prognostic factor in treating left-sided pancreatic cancer and we developed selection guideline. The Yonsei criteria (YC) is selection criteria for oncologically safe and effective resection of left-sided pancreatic cancer by a minimally invasive approach. In this study, we investigated whether left-sided pancreatic cancer with YC can be more individualized to predict long-term survival by using clinically and pathologically detectable parameters.

METHODS

From January 2000 to December 2015, 105 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Among clinically and pathologically detectable parameters to predict tumor conditions, radiologically determined tumor size (p = 0.080) and SUV (p = 0.086) were identified as predictors of early tumor recurrence with marginal significance. Among them, 20% of the patients with YC were identified as having the most favoring tumor condition, with an modified YC score of 3. The patient group with the lowest mYC score was found to have a very long disease-free survival time, with a mean of 108 months, which was statistically different from those with other mYC scores (mYC score = 4, mean 47.1 months [95% CI: 27.8-69.5] vs. mYC score = 5, mean 36.7 months [95% CI: 12.7-60.7], vs. mYC score = 6, mean 10.7 months [95% CI: 3.9-17.4]).

CONCLUSIONS

Modified Yonsei criteria score can predict long-term survival in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer. And patients within YC with a mYC score = 3 could have a favorable survival outcome.