Pancreatic Cancer in the Very Elderly Patient: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is responsible for a significant disease burden on the aging US population. The only chance at curing this highly morbid disease is surgical resection, however choosing appropriate surgical candidates in the elderly population remains challenging. We review the literature for appropriate treatment modalities to the elderly patient. Although significant literature exists in choosing appropriate surgical candidates as well as managing those not deemed fit for surgery, the medical community is not unified when approaching these patients. Further collaboration between the surgical, medical, and palliative communities will likely spawn better outcomes for less overall health care cost in the future.