A retrospective, multicentric, nationwide analysis of the impact of splenectomy on survival of pancreatic cancer patients

2024

Impact of Splenectomy on Survival in Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Sample size: 193 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kießler Maximilian, Jäger Carsten, Mota Reyes Carmen, Pergolini Ilaria, Schorn Stephan, Göß Rüdiger, Safak Okan, Martignoni Marc E., Novotny Alexander R., Uhl Waldemar, Werner Jens, Ghadimi Michael, Hartwig Werner, Ruppert Reinhard, Keck Tobias, Bruns Christiane J., Oldhafer Karl-Jürgen, Schnitzbauer Andreas, Germer Christoph-Thomas, Sommer Florian, Mees Sören Torge, Brunner Maximilian, Köninger Jörg, Glowka Tim R., Kalff Jörg C., Reißfelder Christoph, Bartsch Detlef K., Kraus Thomas, Padberg Winfried, Piso Pompiliu, Lammers Bernhard J., Rudolph Hagen, Moench Christian, Farkas Stefan, Friess Helmut, Ceyhan Güralp O., Demir Ihsan Ekin

Primary Institution: Technische Universität München

Hypothesis

Does splenectomy affect the survival of pancreatic cancer patients undergoing total or distal pancreatectomy?

Conclusion

Splenectomy is associated with shorter overall survival in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing total pancreatectomy.

Supporting Evidence

Patients who underwent total pancreatectomy with spleen preservation had a median survival of 20.8 months compared to 9.6 months with splenectomy.
Splenectomy was identified as an independent risk factor for shorter overall survival.
A meta-analysis confirmed splenectomy as a risk factor for shorter overall survival in pancreatic cancer patients.

Takeaway

Removing the spleen during pancreatic cancer surgery can make it harder for patients to survive, so doctors should think carefully before doing it.

Methodology

Retrospective analysis of 193 pancreatic cancer patients from the StuDoQ|Pancreas registry between 2015 and 2021, comparing outcomes of those with and without splenectomy.