Quality of Life in Pancreatic Cancer: Analysis by Stage and Treatment

Abstract

In pancreatic cancer patients, survival and palliation of symptoms should be balanced with social and functional impairment, and for this reason, health-related quality of life measurements could play an important role in the decision-making process. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of life and survival in 92 patients with different stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical and/or medical interventions. Patients were evaluated with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaires at diagnosis and follow-up (3 and 6 months). At diagnosis, 28 patients (30.5%) had localized disease (group 1) and underwent surgical resection, 34 (37%) had locally advanced (group 2), and 30 (32.5%) metastatic disease (Group 3). NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptImprovement in quality of life was found in group 1, while in group 3, it decreased at follow-up (p = 0.03). No changes in quality of life in group 2 were found. Chemotherapy/chemoradiation seems not to significantly modify quality of life in groups 2 and 3. Median survival time for the entire cohort was 9.8 months (range, 1-24). One-year survival was 74%, 30%, and 16% for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively (p = 0.001). Pancreatic cancer prognosis is still dismal. In addition to long-term survival benefits, surgery impacts favorably quality of life.

Investigation of the Incidence of Pancreatic Cancer-Related Depression and Its Relationship with the Quality of Life of Patients

“…Besides, chemotherapy patients suffered depression more easily than those who underwent an operation. A recent study has reported that an improvement in QoL was found in patients with localized disease who underwent surgical resection, while there was a decrease in QoL in advanced disease and among those who underwent chemotherapy or chemoradiation [22]. It is indicated that a probable relationship exists between depression and QoL in pancreatic cancer patients.…”

Quality of life and performance status in patients with pancreatic and periampullary tumors

“…Others have assessed quality of life as a predictor of patient outcomes in a variety of malignancies [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Previous work with pancreatic tumors has demonstrated that quality of life is associated with tumor pathology, stage, resectability, and survival [9][10][11]. Therefore, this begs the question of whether KPS and quality of life are related conceptual constructs measuring the same or similar aspects of the patient's well-being.…”

Pain management and palliative care in pancreatic cancer

“…37 Both can cause intractable nausea and vomiting, which can be difficult to treat owing to the multiple underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology. Chemotherapy, motility dysfunction, opioids, constipation, anxiety, and cholangitis are other causes of nausea and vomiting in this population.…”