Comparison of Outcomes and the Use of Multimodality Therapy in Young and Elderly People Undergoing Surgical Resection of Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES: To compare outcomes and the use of multimodality therapy in young and elderly people with pancreatic cancer undergoing surgical resection. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-institution study. SETTING: National Cancer Institute/National Comprehensive Cancer Network cancer center. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred three individuals who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma at Duke University Medical Center comprised the study population. Participants were divided into three groups based on age (<65, n = 97; 65- 74, n = 74; >= 75, N = 32). MEASUREMENTS: Perioperative outcomes, the use of multimodality therapy, and overall survival of the different age groups were compared. RESULTS: Similar rates of perioperative mortality and morbidity were observed in all age groups, but elderly adults were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility. A similar proportion of participants received neoadjuvant therapy, but a smaller proportion of elderly participants received adjuvant therapy. Overall survival was similar between the age groups. Predictors of poorer overall survival included coronary artery disease, positive resection margin, and less-differentiated tumor histology. Treatment with neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy were predictors of better overall survival. CONCLUSION: Carefully selected elderly individuals experience similar perioperative outcomes and overall survival to those of younger individuals after resection of pancreatic cancer. There appears to be a significant disparity in the use of adjuvant therapy between young and elderly individuals. J Am Geriatr Soc 60: 344- 350, 2012.