Management of Pancreatic Cancer after Liver Transplantation: A 27-Year Single-Center Experience
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Meeting: 2020 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: D-189
Keywords: Liver transplantation, Outcome, Pancreas, Post-transplant malignancy
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session D: PTLD/Malignancies: All Topics
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020
Session Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm
Presentation Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm
Location: Virtual
*Purpose: The occurrence of de novo cancer after liver transplant (LT) is a leading cause of post-LT mortality and can be partially attributed to the post-LT medically-induced immunosuppressive state. Pancreatic cancer has an incidence of 7.6 per 100,000 population in North America (0.0076%). It poses a diagnostic challenge post-LT, as symptoms of obstructive jaundice can be initially attributed to biliary complications. We aimed to describe the frequency of post-LT pancreatic cancer and the outcomes in this group.
*Methods: All patients with pancreatic cancer following LT were identified via a retrospective review of the electronic medical records in a large-volume LT center (1992-2019). Patient characteristics and outcomes were described with standard summary statistics.
*Results: 2,200 adult LTs were performed in our institution during the study period and 7 patients with post-LT pancreatic cancer (6 adenocarcinoma, 1 neuroendocrine) were identified (incidence 0.32%). Median age was 66 (range 54-77) years, 4 were male (57.1%) and history of alcohol abuse was found in 3 (42.9%), hepatitis B and C infection in 1 (14.3%) and 3 (42.9%), respectively. Most common clinical manifestations were bilirubinemia in 6 (85.7%), weight loss in 4 (57.1%), abdominal pain in 4 (57.1%), weakness in 3 (42.9%), pancreatitis and hyperglycemia each in 1 (14.3%). Median time from LT to pancreatic cancer diagnosis was 9.2 (IQR 5.4-17.9) years, 6 patients had a tumor in the head of the pancreas and 1 in the tail, and the median tumor size was 4 cm (IQR 3.2-4.2). 3 patients underwent resection and 4 patients underwent palliative care due to unresectable disease. On a median follow-up of 117 (IQR 26-355) days after diagnosis, 3 patients are alive to date (42.9%) (Table 1). Overall median post-LT survival was 9.5 (IQR 6.2-18.3) years.
*Conclusions: Pancreatic cancer has a higher incidence in the LT recipient population than the general population in North America. In LT recipients with delayed presentation of jaundice, pancreatic cancer should be included in the differential diagnosis and early screening is warranted.
ID | Management | Current disease extent | Status | Days after diagnosis |
1 | Palliative care | Superior mesenteric artery invasion | Alive | 108 |
2 | Palliative chemotherapy | Superior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric vein, and celiac axis invasion | Alive | 26 |
3 | Resection | Disease-free | Alive | 355 |
4 | Resection and chemotherapy | Metastatic disease seen intraoperatively | Deceased | 360 |
5 | Palliative care | Metastatic disease | Deceased | 154 |
6 | Resection | R1 resection, leading to disease progression and metastatic disease | Deceased | 117 |
7 | Palliative care | Metastatic disease | Deceased | 23 |
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Ziogas IA, Rauf MA, Matsuoka LK, Montenovo MI, Izzy M, Alexopoulos SP. Management of Pancreatic Cancer after Liver Transplantation: A 27-Year Single-Center Experience [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2020; 20 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/management-of-pancreatic-cancer-after-liver-transplantation-a-27-year-single-center-experience/. Accessed November 22, 2024.« Back to 2020 American Transplant Congress