To observe the incidence of liver metastases after pancreatic cancer surgery and to analyze the related factors affecting the occurrence.

A total of 92 patients with pancreatic cancer who required for pancreatoduodenectomy or pancreaticotailectomy in Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from February 2020 to January 2022 were selected as research subjects for a prospective study. Follow-up visits were made every 3 months after operation, and patients were followed up to observe development of liver metastasis within 12 months after operation. According to the results of follow-up, the patients were divided into metastasis group and non-metastasis group. During the study period, 1 of 92 patients dropped out due to incomplete follow-up and return visit. The self-made baseline data sheet was used to collect the general data from patients of the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors affecting liver metastasis after operation for pancreatic cancer.

Among the 91 patients, 35 cases (38.46%) had liver metastasis, and they were included in the metastasis group; 56 cases (61.54%) had no liver metastasis, and they were included in the non-metastasis group. There were significant differences in hepatitis B virus infection, fatty liver, diabetes mellitus, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) between the metastasis group and the non-metastasis group (P<0.05). Results of logistic regression analysis showed that hepatitis B virus infection, diabetes mellitus, and NLR>4 were the risk factors for liver metastasis after pancreatic cancer surgery (OR>1, P<0.05), and fatty liver was a protective factor against liver metastasis after pancreatic cancer surgery (OR<1, P<0.05).

The risk of liver metastasis in patients with pancreatic cancer within 1 year after surgery is higher, which is related to the hepatitis B virus infection, fatty liver, diabetes mellitus, and high NLR.

Pancreatic neoplasms; Liver metastasis; Fatty liver; Histological grading