1993 Volume 54 Issue 11 Pages 2766-2770
Eighteen patients experienced recurrence after resection of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas which were confirmed imaging methods were subjected to a study evaluating diagnostic modalities for recurrence, patterns of recurrence, treatment and prognosis after recurrence. Both ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were excellent modalities for diagnosis of recurrence in the liver, however, for diagnosis of local recurrence, CT was more valuable than US and positron emission tomography (PET) was usefull for early detection of local recurrence. Lesions were apt to be detected early after operation in patients with recurrence in the liver compared with in those with local recurrence. The therapuetic effect for recurrence in the liver, cannot be expected but in patients with local recurrence detected over two years after the resection, radiation therapy prolonged period of survival. Prognosis after recurrence of patients in whom local recurrence was identified initially was significantly better than that of patients in whom recurrence in the liver was seen initially. In patients developed recurrence after resection of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, prolonged survival cannot be expected at the time when hepatic recurrence occurs, however, therapeutic effects can be attained if the recurrence remains in the local region. The importance of correct diagnosis of local recurrence for better prognosis should be emphasized.
