Abstract 1536P
Background
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and its incidence increases with age. Unfortunately, stage IV is the most frequent at diagnosis. In this setting, chemotherapy has shown to prolong survival and improve quality of life; however, no data is available for the oldest old patients. The aim of the study was to compare overall survival in octogenarian and older pancreatic cancer patients based on frontline strategy treatment. Correlations were assessed between survival and treatment characteristics.
Methods
Retrospective data was collected on stage IV cancer patients who were >= 80 years old and treated at Moffitt Cancer Center between 01/01/ 2008 to 12/31/2015. The cohort of patients was divided in two groups: patients treated with chemotherapy or best supportive care (BSC). Analysis was focused on overall survival between the two treatment strategies and whether the number of cycles of chemotherapy affected survival in chemotherapy group.
Results
A total of 78 patients were included: the median age was 83; chemotherapy and BSC cohort were equally distributed (39 patients). The median number and frequency of comorbidities were similar in both groups. Patient choice was the most frequent reason (28%) to not receive chemotherapy. Single agent chemotherapy was the frontline choice for 27 (69%) patients. Disease progression was the most frequent reason (33%) for chemotherapy discontinuation. Median overall survival was 6 and 2 months, in the chemotherapy and BSC groups respectively (p < 0.0001). The benefit in survival was confirmed also when ECOG PS 3-4 patients in BSC group were excluded. Number of cycles of chemotherapy is associated with better survival (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
In our study, chemotherapy was shown to prolong survival in the oldest old patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer and a single-agent regimen is effective.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Antonino Carmelo Tralongo, Martine Extermann.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.