Efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer

For patients with pancreatic cancer who suffer from obstructive jaundice, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) is the treatment of choice. However, there are no standards for palliative care for patients undergoing this treatment. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of post-palliative treatment in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer who were previously treated with PTCD. The 47 patients included in this study had unresectable pancreatic cancer, presented with obstructive jaundice, had no prior history of chemotherapy, and underwent PTCD. They were divided into two groups. Group A was composed of 21 patients who received post-palliative treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, or chemoradiotherapy). Group B consisted of 26 patients who were under best supportive care (BSC). We compared the median overall survival time between the two groups to evaluate the efficacy of post-palliative treatment. The median overall survival time (MOST) of patients undergoing PTCD was 7.19 months. MOST was 9.07 months for patients in group A (P = 0.017 vs. group B) and 5.52 months for those in group B. Among the patients receiving post-palliative treatment, 12 (57 % of patients) received only a single therapy (either chemo or radiation), and 9 (43 %) received chemoradiotherapy. Their median overall survival times were 8.31 and 11.15 months, respectively (P = 0.325). Post-palliative treatment in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer previously treated with PTCD is more effective than only best supportive care alone. Patients receiving both chemo and radiation may benefit more in terms of overall survival compared to patients receiving only one or the other.