Recurrence patterns and surveillance strategies in long-term survivors of resected pancreatic cancer.

e16361 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. After resection, the 2-year disease-free survival is 37 U/mL) and complete normalization of CA 19-9 postoperatively, 30 patients had recurrence with CA 19-9 checked in the 9 months preceding recurrence. CA 19-9 re-elevation preceded recurrence in 83% (25/30) of late recurrences. Median time from CA 19-9 elevation to confirmation of recurrence was 5 months. Conclusions: The rate of recurrence for patients with PDA who are disease-free 2 years after diagnosis is lower than that for patients in their first 2 years. The most common sites of late recurrence are local and lung. For long-term PDA survivors with CA 19-9 producing tumors, serial CA 19-9 monitoring may be used to guide imaging. Positive lymph nodes at resection identify patients who are at highest risk for late recurrence.