RELATION BETWEEN THE STROMAL VOLUME AND LIVER METASTASIS IN DUCTAL CELL-CARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS

In 23 patients with ductal cell carcinoma of the pancreas, the volume density of the stromal area was estimated by morphometry on photomicro graphs of cancer tissue taken at surgery. The patients were divided in to three groups: those with metachronous liver metastasis (Group A, n = 8), with simultaneous liver metastasis (Group B, n = 4) and those wi thout liver metastasis (Group C, n = 11). The analysis illustrated a s ignificantly lower fraction of stromal element in Groups B and B as co mpared to Group C at a statistical level of 0.01 (Ryan test). The scir rhous pancreatic carcinoma tended to resist liver metastasis after var ious therapeutic modalities including pancreatic resection.