Increased pancreatic cancer survival with greater lymph node retrieval in the National Cancer Data Base

BackgroundWe evaluated the role of lymph node (LN) retrieval in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).MethodsWe utilized the National Cancer Data Base; Cox regression models and logistic regression models were used for statistical evaluation.ResultsWe evaluated 26,792 patients with PA who underwent PD. The mean LN retrieved in LN(−) patients was 10.8 vs 14.4 for LN(+) patients (P < 0.0001). Greater LN retrieval is an independent predictor of a negative microscopic margin and decreased length of stay. The median survival of LN(−) patients exceeded that of LN(+) patients (24.5 vs 15.1 months, P < 0.0001). Increasing LN retrieval is a significant predictor of survival in all patients, and in LN(−) patients. The relationship of increased LN retrieval and enhanced survival is a nearly linear trend.ConclusionsRather than demonstrating an inflection point that defines the extent of adequate lymphadenectomy, this dataset demonstrates an incremental relationship between LN retrieval and survival.