Preoperative maximum standardized uptake value and carbohydrate antigen 19–9 were independent predictors of pathological stages and overall survival in Chinese patients with pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Purpose of this study was to analyze whether preoperative maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19–9) levels might provide prognostic information in Chinese patients with pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: Standard PD was performed on 109 patients with PDAC by the same operative team, and all patients received preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography examination and blood test. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 59 ± 9.35 years. Females accounted for 38.5%. Mean levels of SUVmax, carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19–9 were 5.70 ± 2.76, 3.95 ± 4.16ng/mL and 321.62 ± 780.71kU/L. In univariate Logistic regression analysis, preoperative SUVmax, CEA and CA19–9 levels (p < 0.05 for all) rather than other preoperative variables (p > 0.05 for all) were significantly related to AJCC stages. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative SUVmax and CA19–9 levels (p < 0.05 for all) rather than other preoperative variables (p > 0.05 for all) were significantly associated with AJCC stages. Mean overall survival (OS) was 21 ± 14.50 months. In univariate Cox regression analysis, age, SUVmax, CEA and CA19–9 levels before operation (p < 0.05 for all) rather than other preoperative variables (p > 0.05 for all) were significantly related to OS. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, SUVmax and CA19–9 levels before operation (p < 0.05 for all) rather than other preoperative variables (p > 0.05 for all) were significantly associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that preoperative SUVmax and CA19–9 levels independently predicted pathological stages and OS of patients with PDAC after PD. These preoperative variables might have significant prognostic implication in patients with PDAC after PD. Patients with abnormal SUVmax and CA19–9 levels should be paid special attention to in operative strategy and perioperative management.