Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2011; 17(30): 3497-3502
Published online Aug 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i30.3497
Gemcitabine in elderly patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
Olivia Hentic, Chantal Dreyer, Vinciane Rebours, Magaly Zappa, Philippe Lévy, Eric Raymond, Philippe Ruszniewski, Pascal Hammel
Olivia Hentic, Vinciane Rebours, Philippe Lévy, Philippe Ruszniewski, Pascal Hammel, Pôle des maladies de l’Appareil Digestif, Service de Pancréatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 boulevard du général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France
Magaly Zappa, Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 boulevard du général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France
Chantal Dreyer, Eric Raymond, Service de Cancérologie, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 boulevard du général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France
Author contributions: Hentic O and Hammel P designed the study, presented the manuscript conception and recruited and took care of patients; Rebours V did the statistical analysis of the data; Dreyer C, Zappa M, Lévy P, Raymond E and Ruszniewski P recruited and took care of patients.
Correspondence to: Pascal Hammel, Professor Service de Pancréatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 boulevard du général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France. pascal.hammel@bjn.aphp.fr
Telephone: +33-1-40875653 Fax: +33-1-42703784
Received: July 7, 2010
Revised: September 19, 2010
Accepted: September 26, 2010
Published online: August 14, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To assess feasibility, tolerability and efficacy of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients ≥ 75 years old with advanced pancreatic cancer.

METHODS: All consecutive patients ≥ 75 years old with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included in this retrospective study. Necessary criteria to receive chemotherapy were: performance status 0-2, adequate biological parameters and no serious comorbidities. Other patients received best supportive care (BSC).

RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (53% women, median age 78 years, range 75-84) with pancreatic cancer (metastatic: n = 20, locally advanced: n = 18) were studied. Among them, 30 (79%) were able to receive chemotherapy [median number: 9 infusions (1-45)]. Six patients (23%) had at least one episode of grade 3 neutropenia and one patient developed a grade 3 hemolytic-uremic syndrome. No toxic death occurred. Three patients (11%) had a partial tumor response, 13 (46%) had a stable disease and 12 (43%) had a tumor progression. Median survival was 9.1 mo (metastatic: 6.9 mo, locally advanced: 11.4 mo).

CONCLUSION: Tolerance and efficacy of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is acceptable in elderly patients in good condition, with similar results to younger patients.

Keywords: Elderly; Pancreas; Cancer; Gemcitabine