Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nodal status is a vital prognostic factor for ampullary adenocarcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical significance of the positive nodes in this disease. METHODS: Data from 110 patients who underwent curative pancreatoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma between January 2007 and December 2018 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The median number of lymph nodes per patient was 32 (20-46). Metastatic lymph nodes were found in 84 (76.4%) patients. In patients with positive nodules, the most commonly involved nodes were the #13 (80.1%) and #17 (78.6%) nodes, followed by #12 (69.0%) and #8 nodes (57.1%). Patients with 3-4 positive nodes among #13, #17, #12, and #8 had lower survival rates than those with 0 or 1-2 nodes. CONCLUSION: Ampullary adenocarcinoma commonly spreads to #13, #17, #12, and #8 lymph nodes. These nodes affected the patients' survival rates dramatically.