Lived Experiences of Pancreatic Cancer Patients Undergone Whipple Procedure: A Qualitative Study

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating illness with significant impacts on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The Whipple procedure, a common surgical intervention for pancreatic cancer, presents numerous challenges for recovery and adaptation. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences of patients' post-Whipple surgery. The objective of the study is to explore the lived experiences of patients having cancer of the pancreas undergone Whipple's procedures.

A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed to delve into the experiences of patients who underwent the Whipple procedure. Twenty-seven patients attending the surgical gastroenterology outpatient department of a tertiary care institution for follow-up were enrolled in the study. The patients were enrolled consecutively till the saturation of data. An interview guide was used to collect the data. The data were analysed using Colaizzi's method to identify the key themes.

The participants, with a mean age of 51.61 ± 10.89 years, were predominantly male (61.7%) and Hindu (70%) by religion. Most participants had tumours of the head of the pancreas and were hospitalised for 16-30 days at the time of surgery. Thematic analysis revealed eleven themes, i.e. post-diagnosis reaction, burden of the disease, physical problems, socioeconomic burden, psychological issues, impact on social life, financial support, disturbed body image, spirituality, communication with healthcare professionals and hospital experiences.

This study underscores the multifaceted challenges faced by pancreatic cancer patients post-Whipple procedure, highlighting the importance of addressing physical, emotional and socioeconomic aspects to improve their HRQoL. The findings can inform healthcare professionals in developing holistic care strategies tailored to these patients' unique needs.