Survival among patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: a population-based study (United States).

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate survival of patients diagnosed in California with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas by demographic and tumor-related factors.

METHODS

Through the California Cancer Registry (CCR) we identified all California residents diagnosed with invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1994 and 2000. Demographic, tumor and treatment information was extracted from the CCR, and socioeconomic status (SES) was assigned based on census block group of residence.

RESULTS

A total of 10,612 eligible patients were identified of whom 1674 (15.8%) underwent surgical resection. Patients of lower SES were less likely to undergo resection and somewhat less likely to survive. Median survival was 3.5 months for patients who were not resected and 13.3 months for those who underwent resection. Adjuvant therapy was associated with a decreased risk of death among patients who underwent resection.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the largest population-based study to date to explore survival from pancreatic cancer among all age groups in a racially diverse population. Median survival was shorter than that reported from other series. Race/ethnicity did not have a significant effect on survival. However patients residing in poor neighborhoods were less likely to undergo resection and somewhat less likely to survive this disease.