Clinicopathologic Prognostic Factors in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated with Radiation Therapy

Aim: The prognosis of pancreatic cancer is one of the worst malignancies. In randomized clinical trials done in recent times, the answer is researched for adjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy. Our study investigated the clinicopathologic prognostic factors for pancreatic cancer. Material and Method: Patients diagnosed with histopathologically confirmed pancreatic cancer, followed by Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology between the years 2000-2008 were included in the study. Results: A total number of 32 patients were taken to the study. The tumor diameter values in predicting survival were analyzed using ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) curve analysis. Patients were grouped according to their tumor diameters: the tumor diameter lower than 4 cm (Group A), the tumor diameter higher than 4 cm (Group B). The mean survival of patients is determined as 17.3 months. The fact that there is whether or not lymph node involvement is found to be related with survival (p=0.009). A significant relationship between Group A and B in terms of survival is determined (p= 0.029). Conclusions: While treatment is considered in patients who are planned to receive radiation therapy because of pancreatic cancer, the tumor diameter and the lymph node status should be taken into account as prognostic factors.