The Glasgow Prognostic Score is a good predictor of treatment outcome in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Background: We analyzed the outcome of patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer treated in our department from 2001 to 2008.

Methods: Of the 83 patients included in this study, 50 patients received single-agent treatment with gemcitabine (GEM), 9 patients GEM combined with radiotherapy (GEM+R) and 24 patients had best supportive care (BSC). We analyzed survival rates among the groups and risk factors for each group.

Results: The 3-year survival rates were dismal: GEM group 2.9%, GEM+R group 0% and BSC group 0%. Significant prognostic factors of the study were: performance status (PS), response rate and decrease in the CA19-9 level. Significant prognostic factors by the Cox proportional hazard model were the albumin level prior to treatment, CA19-9 levels before treatment, decrease in CA19-9 and response rate. Albumin levels and the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) were found to be factors affecting survival in the GEM group.

Conclusion: In this series of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, good PS, decrease in CA19-9 after treatment and good GPS determined prior to treatment were independent prognostic factors for better overall survival.