Prognostic value of the lymph node metastasis in patients with ampulla of Vater cancer after surgical resection

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Patients with Ampulla of Vater cancer have a better prognosis than those with other periampullary cancers. This study aimed to determine the prognostic impact of lymph node metastasis on survival in patients with ampulla of Vater cancer after surgical resection. METHODS: From 1991 to 2016, we retrospectively reviewed data on 104 patients with ampulla of Vater cancer who had received pancreaticoduodenectomy. Clinicopathologic factors such as lymph node ratio (LNR) and number of metastatic lymph nodes that influence survival were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: 5-year survival rate after resection was 57.8%. Mean number of retrieved and metastatic lymph nodes was 13 and 0.95, respectively. In patients with lymph node metastasis, the median number of metastatic lymph nodes and was 1, and the mean LNR was 0.18. LNR >0.2 was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival. Patients with 0 or 1 metastatic lymph nodes had better survival than those with ≥2 metastatic lymph nodes. Univariate analysis revealed that histologic differentiation of tumor, lymph node metastasis, and T stage were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor differentiation and number of metastatic lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is an appropriate surgical procedure with acceptable long-term survival for ampulla of Vater cancer. Patients with LNR >0.2 and ≥2 positive lymph node metastasis had a poor survival. Tumor differentiation and ≥2 metastatic lymph nodes were independent significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Curative resection with lymph node dissection might control lymph node spread and enhance survival outcomes.