The Glasgow Prognostic Score is a good predictor of treatment outcome in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND

We analyzed the outcome of patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer treated in our department from 2001 to 2008.

METHODS

Of the 83 patients included in this study, 50 patients received single-agent treatment with gemcitabine (GEM), 9 patients GEM combined with radiotherapy (GEM+R) and 24 patients had best supportive care (BSC). We analyzed survival rates among the groups and risk factors for each group.

RESULTS

The 3-year survival rates were dismal: GEM group 2.9%, GEM+R group 0% and BSC group 0%. Significant prognostic factors of the study were: performance status (PS), response rate and decrease in the CA19-9 level. Significant prognostic factors by the Cox proportional hazard model were the albumin level prior to treatment, CA19-9 levels before treatment, decrease in CA19-9 and response rate. Albumin levels and the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) were found to be factors affecting survival in the GEM group.

CONCLUSION

In this series of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, good PS, decrease in CA19-9 after treatment and good GPS determined prior to treatment were independent prognostic factors for better overall survival.