Carcinoma of the pancreatic head area: follow-up

Preliminary results of a planned follow-up schedule based on periodic clinicoinstrumental controls applied to a population of 73 patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing combined modality treatments modulated according to the different prognosis, are reported. The following considerations are stressed: 1) the feasibility of scheduled controls is confirmed by the low rate (1.4%) of patients lost to follow-up in spite of the rapidly fatal course of the disease, characterized by the deteriorating performance status in most patients; 2) radiologic exams should be performed in the same center where the patients were initially staged by a team experienced in the natural history of this disease and aware of the difficulties in assessing the treatment, surgery in particular; 3) supportive care plays a major role in patients followed-up for the frequent onset of symptoms which impact on the quality of life; 4) the interdisciplinary collaboration between surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, endoscopists and experts in nutrition and pain relief plays a major role.