Quality of life after curative or palliative surgical treatment of pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome measure after treatment of pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to analyse QOL after surgery for resectable pancreatic or periampullary carcinoma. Methods: Patients with potentially resectable tumours underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 72) or a double-bypass procedure (n = 42). They were asked to complete a questionnaire before laparotomy and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. Fifty-nine patients completed a shortened questionnaire on a weekly basis. Results: There was a temporary decrease in physical and gastrointestinal functioning after pancreaticoduodenectomy. A similar decrease in QOL was observed after double bypass, as well as decreases in mental functioning and overall QOL. Almost all QOL scores returned to preoperative values by about 3 months after surgery, although only briefly so in patients who had a double-bypass procedure. There were no differences between groups in the terminal stages of disease. A rapid decrease on all QOL scales was observed in the last 8 weeks before death. Conclusion: Surgery for pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma was not associated with irreversible impairment or protracted recovery of QOL. The relatively long plateau phase after recovery supports the argument for surgical treatment, including surgical palliation in selected patients.