Prognostic factors of the survival of pancreatic cancer patients in peninsular Malaysia: A survival analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer incidence in Malaysia is steadily on the rise, now ranking as the 14th most common malignancy in the country. Despite this upward trend, research on prognostic factors affecting pancreatic cancer survival remains limited, highlighting the need for ongoing investigation to improve patient survival outcomes.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This study was conducted retrospectively by reviewing records of pancreatic cancer patients hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2018 across multiple health centres in Malaysia. Using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, several prognostic factors were identified.

RESULTS

The study revealed that being Chinese, having a family history of pancreatic cancer, having hepatitis C, presenting with jaundice, experiencing pale stools, having a palpable mass in the abdomen, the presence of ascites, receiving palliative care and end-of-life care were associated with higher mortality risk. Conversely, being female, having hypertension, and higher haemoglobin levels were linked to decreased mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

These study findings offer valuable insights into prognostic factors for predicting patient outcomes and optimizing individual prognosis in pancreatic cancer cases within Malaysia context. Future research should build on these findings, exploring how these factors can be integrated into comprehensive care plans that address the specific needs of diverse patient populations.