Prognostic factors for survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignant disease

Forty patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignant disease in a 25-year review of 6 Portland-area hospitals. After resection, 10 patients survived for greater than 5 years. Characteristics of survivors included a short prodrome of symptoms, minimal weight loss, tumor in the periampullary region, and female sex. Factors that did not influence survival included degree of jaundice, primary tumor size, and initial abnormal liver function studies.