Predictive factors for long-term survival in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although numerous clinico-pathological parameters have been demonstrated to predict the prognosis in patients with pancreatic carcinoma after surgical resection, the factor most significant for their post-operative survival is still controversial. Herein, the authors have performed histopathological studies on patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and reviewed their clinical records to detect the most significant factor influencing their long term survival.

METHODOLOGY

We reviewed clinical records and histological findings retrospectively. Then we performed univariate and multivariate analyses to find a correlation between the factors and the survival of the patients.

RESULTS

The overall postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 30.0% and 5.6%, respectively. The overall 5-year survival was 9.0%. Univariate analysis resulted in the detection of 14 factors which correlated with patient prognosis. Multivariate analysis resulted in the detection of histologic differentiation as an independent predictor for longterm survival.

CONCLUSION

Histological differentiation is recommended as the most reliable predictor for the prognosis of patients with pancreatic carcinoma after surgical removal.