Development and Validation of a Postoperative Recurrence Prediction Model for Pancreatic Cancer: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, with postoperative recurrence severely affecting patient survival and prognosis. This study aims to develop and validate a clinical prediction model for postoperative recurrence in pancreatic cancer patients, incorporating multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors to assist clinical decision-making. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 216 patients who underwent surgical treatment for pancreatic malignancy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2015 and January 2023. An independent external validation cohort of 76 patients from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University was used to validate the model. Seven independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence were identified through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The model’s performance was evaluated using the concordance index (C-index) and ROC curves, and its accuracy and clinical value were assessed using calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: The predictive model demonstrated good discriminatory power, with a C-index of 0.72 in the training cohort and 0.66 in the validation cohort. The ROC curves for predicting recurrence at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively showed AUC values ranging from 0.72 to 0.83, indicating strong predictive value. Calibration curves and DCA confirmed the model’s accuracy and clinical utility. Conclusion: This study successfully developed and validated a clinical prediction model that incorporates seven independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence in pancreatic cancer. The model provides a useful tool for predicting recurrence risk, aiding in the identification of high-risk patients, and informing clinical decision-making.