Pancreatic cancer: survival, errors and evidence

Resections for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have now been carried out systematically for over 70 years. However, opinions still differ as to the results. Some consider it unresectable, whereas others claim a high survival percentage and recommend resections.

The literature on this surgery has been scrutinized from the onset, and 790 studies have been found that deal with resections and reveal survival information.

Review reveals that the percentage of survivals is exaggerated with life-table methods when there is censoring of the data. Duplication of reporting survivors is rampant.

After adjusting for calculations and duplications, the total number of 5-year survivors can hardly be more than 700-800.