There are currently no prediction models for survival of resectable pancreatic cancer used in clinical practice
As more therapeutic options become available, the need for improved tools to predict outcomes and support shared-decision making grows
A new article in the British Journal of Surgery systematically reviews studies describing survival models for resectable pancreatic cancer
In total, 22 relevant models were found
Eight models were developed for the preoperative setting and 13 for the postoperative setting
But of these, only 2 were considered promising options
It turns out that most available models are at high risk of bias and have not been externally validated
The article also narrowed down useful prognostic factors among the models, such as biomarkers and pathological factors
This knowledge was used to develop practical recommendations for future studies looking to design and validate new models...
which might one day identify personalized predictions and tailored treatment strategies that can improve survival
Strijker M, et al. A systematic review of clinical prediction models for survival in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. (2019) British Journal of Surgery