Undertreatment of noncurative pancreatic adenocarcinoma?: A population-based analysis of patterns of care.

Abstract

439 Background: Noncurative pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) portends a guarded prognosis. Advancements in systemic therapy have improved this outlook. It is unknown whether patients get access to these therapies. We sought to define patterns of access to care and therapy for noncurative PA. Methods: We conducted a population-based analysis of nonresected PA over 2005-2016 by linking administrative healthcare datasets. Primary outcome was nonreceipt of cancer-directed therapy (radiation/chemotherapy; NRCDT). The first contact and overall consultations with specialized care (surgery, medical, or radiation oncology) were examined. Multivariate models examined factors associated with NRCDT. Results: Of 10,881 patients surviving a mean of 3.3 months (IQR: 1.2-8.5), 62% had NRCDT. More of patients of older age (65% of 71-80 years old, 89% of ≥81 years old), high comorbidity burden (68%), and lower socioeconomic status (69%), had NRCDT. Distance from residence to nearest cancer centre did not differ based on NRCDT. 35% of all patients did not see medical oncology, including 56% of NRCDT patients; 17% had no consultation with specialists. First contact with specialized care was surgery for 55% of all patients, and 50% with NRCDT. Most patients saw palliative care (81%) at median 27 days (IQR: 9-75) after diagnosis. Older age (OR 0.42 [0.37-0.48], and OR 0.14 [0.12-0.16] for 71-80 and ≥81 years old respectively), lowest income quintile (OR 0.62 [0.54-0.71]) and rurality (OR 0.63 [0.56-0.71]) were independently associated with lower odds of seeing medical oncology. First contact with oncology was independently associated with higher odds of receiving therapy (OR 1.48 [1.34-1.62]), compared to surgery. Conclusions: The majority of patients with noncurative PA did not receive cancer-directed therapy. Of those, more than half did not see medical oncology. While some patients may not be eligible to therapy, we identified disparities in receipt of cancer-directed therapy that indicate potential gaps in assessment for therapy and undertreatment, especially for vulnerable populations. This information is important to optimize access to and delivery of evidence-based care, and improve PA outcomes.