Prognostic impact of immunohistochemical expression of CK7 and CK20 in curatively resected ampulla of Vater cancer

BACKGROUND In the consideration of ampullary adenocarcinoma, T stage, lymph node metastases, perineural invasion, tumor differentiation, pancraticobiliary type, and lymph node ratio are considered prognostic factors. The objectives of this study were to investigate surgical outcomes and the clinicopathological predictors affecting survival and recurrence, and to examine the prognostic roles of histopathological subtype and immunohistochemical markers. METHODS From April 2006 to September 2012, 37 patients who underwent curative resection of ampullar of Vater adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study. A retrospective review was performed based on medical records. Immunohistochemical expression, histopathological type and clinicopathologic factors were analyzed. RESULTS The 5-year overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates after surgery were 77.4 and 75.7 %, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced T stage (p = 0.019) and positive expression of Cytokeratin 7 (CK7) with negative expression of Cytokeratin 20 (CK20) (p = 0.046) were identified as significant independent factors related to survival, and poor differentiation (p = 0.031) significantly influenced disease-free survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Advanced T stage is a significant prognostic factor affecting survival in ampullary adenocarcinoma. Also, positive expression of CK7 with negative expression of CK20 is an independent factor related to overall survival.