Early Recurrence After Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer

N/AEnrolling By InvitationNCT07241676

Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova500 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to learn about early recurrence after curative-intent surgery for pancreatic cancer. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How often does early recurrence (within 12 months after surgery) occur? * When does it happen, and at which anatomical sites (liver, lung, local, peritoneum)? * How is recurrence detected (imaging or tumor markers)? Adults with histologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who undergo curative-intent resection without distant metastases will be enrolled. Participants will be followed according to routine clinical care at each hospital, typically with imaging and CA19-9 blood tests. No study-specific interventions are required.

This international, prospective, multicenter observational study aims to characterize early recurrence (ER) after curative-intent resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). ER is defined as recurrence occurring within 12 months following surgery. The study will assess the incidence, timing, anatomical sites, and detection mode (radiologic vs. biochemical) of ER, as well as post-recurrence treatment patterns and short-term outcomes. Secondary aims include comparison between neoadjuvant and upfront surgery cohorts, evaluation of biochemical-only recurrence, and identification of clinical or pathological factors predictive of ER. Consecutive eligible patients will be enrolled from high-volume pancreatic surgery centers worldwide and followed according to institutional standards of care, typically involving routine imaging and CA19-9 surveillance. Standardized data will be prospectively collected to describe recurrence patterns and post-recurrence management. No study-specific interventions are required.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

500

Conditions

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)Recurrent Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Histologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) * Undergoing curative-intent resection (R0 or R1) * No evidence of distant metastasis at the time of surgery * Availability of preoperative CA19-9 value and pancreas-protocol CT or MRI * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Withdrawal of informed consent * Pathological diagnosis other than PDAC (e.g., neuroendocrine tumor, acinar cell carcinoma, invasive IPMN) * Surgery performed for palliative or diagnostic purposes only * Intraoperative discovery of unresectable disease or distant metastases * Gross residual disease (R2 resection) * Incomplete clinical or radiologic follow-up precluding recurrence assessment * Absence of adequate preoperative contrast-enhanced pancreas-protocol CT or MRI preventing accurate staging and metastatic evaluation * Interval \>9 months between two consecutive follow-up visits * Major protocol deviations or insufficient data, as judged by the site investigator

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Incidence, timing, mode of detection, and anatomical site of early recurrence

Early recurrence (ER) is defined as disease recurrence occurring within 12 months after curative-intent resection (R0 or R1) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The incidence, time from surgery to recurrence, mode of detection (radiologic vs biochemical), and anatomical site (liver, lung, local, peritoneum, multiple) will be prospectively assessed.

Time frame: Within 12 months post-surgery

Secondary Outcomes

Comparison of ER patterns in patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy versus upfront surgery

ER incidence, timing, detection mode, and anatomical sites will be compared between patients who received neoadjuvant therapy and those who underwent upfront surgery.

Time frame: 12 months post-surgery

Incidence and clinical impact of biochemical-only recurrence

Defined as sustained elevation of CA19-9 without radiologic evidence of disease. Clinical outcomes and management strategies in these patients will be analyzed.

Time frame: 12 months post-surgery

Post-recurrence treatment strategies and short-term survival outcomes

Documentation of treatment intent (curative vs palliative) and treatment modality (e.g., chemotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, surgery), with survival outcomes stratified by recurrence type and treatment approach.

Time frame: From recurrence up to 24 months post-surgery

Clinical and pathological predictors of early recurrence

Analysis of demographic, clinical, treatment-related, and pathological factors associated with ER to identify predictors for risk stratification and future surveillance planning.

Time frame: Up to 12 months post-surgery

Validation of futility criteria for upfront surgery patients

Validation of the MetroPancreas model, with futility defined as death or recurrence within 6 months after surgery.

Time frame: Within 6 months post-surgery