Detection of hepatic micrometastasis in ductal pancreatic carcinoma by K-ras mutation analysis and determination of clinical relevance
Bastian, D.; Gerdes, B.; Ramaswamy, A.; Tschammer, C.; Bartsch, D.
Langenbecks Archiv für Chirurgie. Suppl. Kongressband. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. Kongress 115(Suppl I): 45-47
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0942-2854 PMID: 14518210 Document Number: 493217
In this prospective study we evaluated the presence and importance of hepatic micrometastases at the time of operation in patients with resectable pancreatic carcinoma. In 13 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 5 patients with chronic pancreatitis Truecut-Needle biopsies of the liver were obtained during operation. K-ras mutation analysis was done by the PCR/restriction digestion assay with HphI, followed by an ultrasound of the liver in 3 monthly intervals. Four of 13 (30%) pancreatic cancer patients had K-ras gene mutations in the liver and had a mean survival of 6 months after resection. All chronic pancreatitis patients and 8 of the 9 remaining pancreatic cancer patients without K-ras mutations in the liver biopsies are alive without evidence of liver metastases after a mean follow-up of 9 months. Detection of micrometastases in the liver by K-ras mutation analysis might be a powerful tool to identify occult clinical relevant liver metastases.