High-volume centers are associated with higher receipt of combined therapy in stage III pancreatic cancer

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is often diagnosed at a locally advanced stage with vascular involvement which was previously viewed as a contraindication to resection. However, high-volume centers are increasingly capable of resecting complex tumors. We aimed to explore patterns of treatment that are uncharacterized on a population level.

Methods: A statewide registry was queried from 2003 to 2018 for stage III PDAC. Stepwise logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier were used for statistical analysis.

Results: We identified 424 eligible patients. 348 (82%) received chemotherapy, 17 (4.0%) received resection, and 59 (13.9%) received both; median survival was 10.7, 8.7, and 22.7 months, respectively (P < 0.001). High-volume centers (≥20 cases per year; OR 5.40 [95% CI: 2.76, 10.58], P < 0.001) and later year of diagnosis (OR 1.12/year [95% CI: 1.04, 1.20], P = 0.004) were associated with higher odds of receiving combined therapy.

Conclusion: PDAC patients with vascular involvement who receive both systemic chemotherapy and surgical resection have improved overall survival. High-volume centers are independently associated with higher odds of receiving combined systemic therapy and surgical resection.