A study published in the Journal of Surgical Oncology revealed that surgery appears to be underutilized for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. An analysis of patients treated in Texas between 2004 and 2018 showed that only 22% of those eligible for surgery underwent resection, with the utilization rates of surgery declining over time.
Patricio M. Polanco, MD, from UT Southwestern Medical Center, commented that the data likely mirrors the situation in other U.S. regions. The study found that older age was associated with a higher likelihood of not undergoing surgery, while treatment at accredited centers was linked to a lower likelihood. Patients who underwent surgery had longer survival rates, especially those treated at NCI-designated cancer centers. Polanco emphasized the importance of early detection and surgical intervention, as it remains the only curative therapy for pancreatic cancer. The research team is further investigating the reasons behind the low surgery rates.