title: Palliation of pancreatic neoplasms.
abstract: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma accounts for 80% of pancreatic tumours. The majority are unresectable at diagnosis and only 10% of patients survive to 1 year. Therefore, selection of appropriate palliative procedures for jaundice, gastric outlet obstruction or pain is a vitally important aspect of the management of these patients. Overall survival is equivalent following surgical or non-surgical palliation of biliary obstruction. Operative biliary bypass is a more major intervention but is associated with longer relief of symptoms and fewer readmissions compared to non-operative procedures. Prognostic factors such as histopathology, presence of metastatic disease and C reactive protein levels may allow better prediction of survival, therefore aiding selection of the most appropriate palliative techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (Surgery), Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: B N J
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Parks
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor