Reappraisal of nodal staging and study of lymph node station involvement in distal pancreatectomy for body-tail pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background: The pattern of nodal spread in body-tail pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been poorly investigated. This study analyzed the characteristics of lymph node (LN) involvement and the prognostic role of nodal metastases stratified by LN stations.

Methods: All upfront distal pancreatectomies (DPs) for PDAC (2000-2017) with complete information on station 8,10,11, and 18 were included. Clinico-pathological correlates and survival were investigated using uni- and multivariable analyses.

Results: Among 100 included patients, 28 were N0, 42 N1 and 30 N2. The median number of examined LN was 32 (IQR 26-44). Tumor size at preoperative imaging increased across N-classes. Preoperative size >27.5 mm was associated with N2 status. The frequency of nodal metastases at stations 8, 9, 10, 11, and 18 was 12.0%, 10.9%, 3.0%, 71.0%, and 19%, respectively. The pattern of LN spread was independent from primary tumor location (with tail tumors metastasizing to station 8/9 and body tumors to station 10), while it was highly associated with N-class. At multivariable analysis, tumor grading, adjuvant treatment, station 9 and 10 metastases were independent prognostic factors in node-positive patients.

Conclusions: In patients undergoing upfront DP for PDAC preoperative tumor size is associated with the degree of nodal spread. While station 11 was the most frequently involved, only station-9 and 10 metastases were independent prognostic factors. The site of nodal metastases was somewhat unpredictable based on tumor location. This data has potential implications for allocating patients to neoadjuvant treatment and supports the performance of routine splenectomy during DP for PDAC.