Receipt of surgical resection for patients with pancreatic cancer is highly influenced by age, race, marital status, socio-economic status, and insurance type, according to a study presented at Digestive Disease Week 2022 in San Diego, California.

Using articles between 2000-2021 from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Medline databases, researchers analyzed 16 studies which evaluated the surgical resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in resectable or early-stage patients in the US. Of the studies, 13 were based on national databases and 3 were on state-wide or institutional registries. A total of 167,336 patients were included, of whom 70,792 (42.3%) underwent surgical resection.

The systematic review found a decreased likelihood of surgery for patients who were older age (12/13 studies or 92%), Black or Hispanic (13/15 studies or 87%), of a lower socioeconomic status (7/9 studies or 79.8%), or unmarried (3/4 or 75%). Insurance-based disparities were also found in 5 out of 6 studies (83.3%). One of the 13 studies (7%) found male gender to be predictive of decreased surgery. Additionally, all 5 studies that evaluated rural compared to urban location found no differences.

Researchers stated that improving these disparities in access to surgical care will be necessary to provide better outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.

—Allison Casey

Reference:
Khan H, Cherla D, Johnston F, Fonseca A. Disparities in access to surgical resection in pancreatic cancer patients — A systematic review. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; May 21, 2022. San Diego, CA.