Prognostic value of an inflammation-based nutritional score for patients with initially unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma undergoing conversion surgery following chemo-/radiotherapy

Purpose To clarify the prognostic value of the preoperative nutrition status of patients undergoing conversion surgery (CS) for initially unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (UR-PA). Methods The subjects of this retrospective study were 41 consecutive patients with initially UR-PA treated with chemo-/radiotherapy and subsequent CS between 2007 and 2014, at Tohoku University Hospital. The preoperative Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) was 0, conveying normal nutrition, in 25 patients (N group) and 1–2, conveying malnutrition, in 16 patients (M group). The clinicopathological factors influencing overall survival were defined by uni- and multivariate analyses. Results The M group had a significantly worse prognosis than the N group (median overall survival (mOS) 9.6 vs 40.7 months, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified a GPS of 1–2 as an independent predictor of worse prognosis [hazard ratio (HR)3.437, p = 0.032], followed by CA19-9 elevation before CS (HR4.089, p = 0.012) and pathological lymph node metastases (HR2.314, p = 0.046). Patients who maintained a favorable nutritional status (GPS 0) during preoperative treatment had a significantly better prognosis, whereas those whose nutritional status deteriorated (elevated to GPS 1–2) had poorer survival (mOS 40.7 vs. 9.7 months, p = 0.003) Conclusion Preoperative malnutrition status (GPS 1–2) is considered an independent predictor of a worse prognosis for patients undergoing CS for initially UR-PA.