Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Oct 2010
Clinical presentation and waiting time targets do not affect prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer.
The prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer remains poor despite recent advances in treatment. It is not known whether delays in referring, diagnosing and treating these patients and the way they present can affect their survival. ⋯ This study showed that pre-hospital delays in referring patients to a specialist unit, but not hospital related 62 days target, had an no impact on operability, resectability and survival. Clinical presentation also had no impact on the survival. We confirmed that pancreatic resection is the most important factor in determining the length of survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Our study implies that the successful implementation of the 62 days National Cancer Waits Target across the UK is unlikely to have an impact on prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Focusing on early referral to specialist Pancreatic Units might be more effective.