Pancreatectomy in Stage I pancreas cancer: national underutilization of surgery persists

Pancreatectomy in early pancreas adenocarcinoma has been historically underutilized. This retrospective study examines recent trends in the use of pancreatectomy in clinical Stage I (T1-2N0M0) pancreas cancer.

Using the 2004-2014 National Cancer Database, patients with clinical Stage I pancreas cancer were identified. Patients who underwent surgery or failed to undergo surgery with no identifiable reason were included in analysis. Chi-square, binary logistic regression, and Kaplan Meier estimate were used to identify risk factors for failure to undergo surgery.

23,365 patients were identified. Pancreatectomy increased from 38.4% in 2004 to 52.3% in 2014 (p < 0.001). 50% (n = 11,922) of patients underwent surgery and 48.0% (n = 11,433) did not, of whom 6.8% had a prohibitive co-morbidity, and 36.1% (n = 8594) had no identifiable reason for the lack of operation. Failure to operate was associated with older age, African American race, residence in lower income and less educated areas, lack of insurance, and treatment at community hospitals (all p < 0.001). 5-year survival was maximized in patients who underwent surgery and chemotherapy at 28.1%.

While utilization of surgery increased overtime, 36% of patients fail to undergo surgery without an identifiable reason. Future investigation is warranted to explain continuing underuse of surgery in early pancreas cancer.