Purpose: To examine the effect of adjuvant chemoradiation for adenocarcinoma of the distal common bile duct (DCBD) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) on local control and survival.
Methods and materials: A total of 34 cases of adenocarcinoma of the DCBD were treated with PD and adjuvant chemoradiation at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1994 and 2003. Median radiation dose was 5,040 cGy (range, 4,000-5,400 cGy). Concurrent 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy was given with radiation therapy, followed by maintenance chemotherapy.
Results: The median follow-up of patients alive at the time of analysis was 41 months. Death occurred in 21 of 34 patients (62%) during the follow-up period, all from progressive, distant metastatic disease. Median overall survival was 36.9 months, with a 5-year survival of 35%. On multivariate analysis, only nodal status significantly predicted survival (p < 0.02). For patients with negative and positive lymph nodes, 5-year survival was 100% and 24%, respectively. Actuarial 5-year local control was 70%. Compared with historical controls who underwent PD alone, patients who underwent surgery and adjuvant chemoradiation had significantly longer survival (36.9 months vs. 22 months; p < 0.05). Overall survival was significantly longer for both lymph node negative and lymph node positive patients (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Adjuvant chemoradiation after PD for adenocarcinoma of the DCBD may improve local control and overall survival. The predominant mode of failure is distant metastatic disease, highlighting the need for improved systemic therapy.