Analysis of the influence of gender on the clinicopathological features and prognosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms

Objective To compare the clinicopathological features and prognosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) between male and female patients. Methods A total of 325 patients with histological confirmed PCN from January 2010 to October 2015 were enrolled. The clinicopathological features, laboratory examination, imaging features, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results Of the 325 patients diagnosed as PCN, 104 were male and 221 were female. The average age of male patients was significantly higher than that of female patients (55.0±12.7 vs 47.9±13.4 years, P<0.001), however, the average tumor size of male patients was smaller than that of female patients (3.9±2.7 vs 4.9±3.0 cm, P=0.004). The location of PCN in male patients was predominantly located at pancreatic head and neck, and majority of male patients were mucinous cystic neoplasms. 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates of patients with PCN were 98.5%, 92.6%, and 87.5%, respectively. 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates of male patients were 97.8%, 84.9%, and 77.8%, however, those of female patients were 98.8%, 96.5%, and 92.2%, respectively. Female patients had better prognosis than male patients (χ2=5.543, P=0.019). Elevated CA19-9 (χ2=3.843, P=0.050), perineuronal invasion (χ2=6.250, P=0.012) and lymph node metastasis (χ2=4.529, P=0.033) were important prognostic factors for malignant mucinous cystic neoplasm. Conclusions Male patients had low incidence of PCN, and were more common for mucinous cystic neoplasm. The long-term outcome of malignant PCN was poor. Even with complete resection, male patients still had worse prognosis. Close follow-up is recommended especially for male patients. Key words: Pancreatic cystic neoplasm; Malignant; Prognosis; Male