Quality of Life in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Little is known about quality of life (QOL) of patients with pancreatic cancer and their caregivers compared with adults with other cancers. This systematic review summarizes the available evidence base, identifies its limitations, and recommends directions for research and clinical application. A systematic review was conducted of research on QOL in adults with pancreatic cancer and their caregivers. Quality of life was examined in the following specific domains: psychological, physical, social, sexual, spiritual, and general. Of the 7130 articles reviewed, 36 studies met criteria for inclusion. Compared with healthy adults or population norms, adults with pancreatic cancer had worse QOL across all domains. Compared with patients with other cancer types, patients with pancreatic cancer evidenced worse psychological QOL. Physical and social QOL were either similar or more compromised than in patients with other cancers. Limited data preclude conclusions about sexual, spiritual, and caregiver QOL. Patients with pancreatic cancer evidence decrements in multiple QOL domains, with particular strain on psychological well-being. Methodological limitations of available studies restrict definitive conclusions. Future research with well-defined samples, appropriate statistical analyses, and longitudinal designs is needed. Findings from this review support the merits of distress screening, integration of mental health professionals into medical teams, and attention to caregiver burden.
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All treatments for pancreatic cancer are associated with a significant side-effect burden.
“All treatments and are associated with a significant side-effect burden”
From Systematic review of caregiver burden, unmet needs and quality-of-life among informal caregivers of patients with pancreatic cancer (2023) · cites this paper as [17]
The survival rate in pancreatic cancer is markedly lower than for other common cancers.
“The survival rate in pancreatic cancer is markedly lower than for other common cancers [17]”
From Systematic review of caregiver burden, unmet needs and quality-of-life among informal caregivers of patients with pancreatic cancer (2023) · cites this paper as [17]
Patients with pancreatic cancer tend to deteriorate rapidly and up to 90% have died within a year of diagnosis.
“Patients tend to deteriorate rapidly and up to 90% have died within a year of diagnosis, demonstrating the aggressiveness of the condition [17].”
From Systematic review of caregiver burden, unmet needs and quality-of-life among informal caregivers of patients with pancreatic cancer (2023) · cites this paper as [17]
Patients with pancreatic cancer have notably worse quality-of-life and psychological wellbeing compared to people without cancer and those with other forms of cancer.
“patients’ quality-of-life and psychological wellbeing are notably worse compared to people without cancer and those with other forms of cancer [17].”
From Systematic review of caregiver burden, unmet needs and quality-of-life among informal caregivers of patients with pancreatic cancer (2023) · cites this paper as [17]
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- Authors
- Bauer, M. R., Bright, E. E., MacDonald, J. J., Cleary, E. H., Hines, O. J., & Stanton, A. L.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bauer, Margaret R.
- Bright, Emma E.
- MacDonald, James J.
- Stanton, Annette L.
- Venue
- Pancreas
- Published
- 2018-04
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 368-375
- ISSN
- 0885-3177 (ISSN-L)
- 1536-4828
- OpenAlex
- W2790771128
- Cited by
- 107
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 0.94
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Pancreas (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
- Keywords
- pancreatic cancer, quality of life, caregivers, caregiver burden, psychological well-being, physical health, social functioning, sexual function, spiritual well-being, distress screening, mental health integration
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Pancreatic Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Stress, Psychological, Caregivers
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