Long-Term Quality of Life after Pancreatic Surgery for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) represent the most common precancerous cystic lesions of the pancreas. The aim of our study was to investigate if resection for non-invasive IPMNs alters quality of life (QoL) in a long-term follow-up. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Patients (<i>n</i> = 50) included in the analysis were diagnosed and resected from 2010 to 2016. QoL was assessed at a median of 5.5 years after resection. At that point in time, the current QoL as well as the QoL before resection was evaluated retrospectively. The standardised European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for Pancreatic Cancer (EORTC QLQ – PAN26) was applied for the QoL assessment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> After a median of 66 months postoperatively, the total QoL score significantly worsened (92.13 vs. 88.04, <i>p</i> = 0.020, maximum achievable score = 100) for patients (median age at surgery 68.0 years), mostly due to digestive symptoms. During the same follow-up period, median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status did not worsen (<i>p</i> = 0.003). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Long-term QoL statistically significantly worsened after pancreatic resection for IPMN. The extent of worsening, however, was small, and QoL still remained excellent. Therefore, resection in cases of IPMN is appropriate, if indicated carefully.