Quality of life after surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer
Kostro, J.; Sledziński, Z.
Acta Chirurgica Belgica 108(6): 679-684
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5458 PMID: 19241917 Document Number: 616710
This study was designed to assess postoperative changes in the quality of life (QoL) of patients after surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer. QoL was analyzed in a prospective single-centre study that included 54 patients with pancreatic cancer. Patients with potentially resectable tumours underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) (n = 26), a double-bypass procedure (DBP) (n = 17) or laparotomy (L) (n = 11). They were asked to complete a questionnaire before and at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after surgery. QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-PAN26 questionnaires (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and PAN26). The patients did not demonstrate significant differences in the assessment of their global health status. Although, after resection, patients gave a positive assessment of most parameters in question, after DBP they reported some aggravation of most of the symptoms. The majority of patients did not have aggravated symptoms after laparotomy. The study has shown the value of conducting both curative and palliative resection for QoL. Bypass procedures should be performed in cases of non-resectable pancreatic cancer with accompanying jaundice and/or gastric outlet obstruction in patients with a life expectancy of at least 6 months.