The need for improvement in the management of fatigue, depression and pain in pancreatic cancer.

Authors

null

Amy Westermann

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Manhattan Beach, CA

Amy Westermann , Lynn McCormick Matrisian , Lola Rahib

Organizations

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Manhattan Beach, CA

Research Funding

Other

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) and its treatment(s) results in symptom and side effect burden and can impact patient’s overall quality of life (QOL). Methods: Patient reported information on management of side effects and symptoms were collected using PanCAN’s Patient Registry (01/2016 – 07/2018). Results: Patient reported information on side effects, pain and depression is detailed in the table. Side effects: 94% reported fatigue and 8% reported taking anti-fatigue medication. 72% reported nausea or vomiting during treatment and 83% reported taking anti-nausea medication. Pain: Of the 90% of patients who reported pain related to PC, 27% did not take pain medication, 47% visited the ER and 32% were hospitalized due to pain. Depression: Of the 83% of users reported feeling depressed during PC, 46% were diagnosed with depression, 37% prescribed anti-depressant, and 48% did not see a therapist. Conclusions: Nausea was reported as most managed. Fatigue, pain and depression were generally unmanaged. ER visits and hospitalizations due to pain were frequently reported. An improvement in the management of these side effects and symptoms is needed as it can affect patient’s ability to tolerate treatment, improve overall QOL, and may lower overall healthcare costs.

Patient reported information on side effects, pain & depression management.

Reported (%)
Drug Therapy Side Effectsn=770
reported fatigue721 (94%)
 taking anti-fatigue medication64 (8%)
reported nausea or vomiting550 (71%)
 taking anti-nausea medication641 (83%)
reported low blood count598 (78%)
 received blood transfusions, Growth Factors, and/or iron infusions301 (39%)
Painn=80
reported pain related to PC74 (93%)
 discussed pain with HCP65 (88%)
 HCP recommended or prescribed pain medication62 (84%)
 taking/have taken prescribed medication54 (73%)
 taking/have taken over the counter medication for pain46 (62%)
 did not take pain medication20 (27%)
 visited ER35 (47%)
 visited ER more than once19 (26%)
 hospitalized due to pain24 (32%)
 hospitalized due to pain more than once14 (19%)
Depressionn=63
felt depressed at some point during PC52 (83%)
 diagnosed with depression due to PC24 (46%)
  prescribed anti-depressant19 (37%)
 not seeing a therapist25 (48%)

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2019 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract

Track

Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract

Sub Track

Multidisciplinary Treatment

Citation

J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl 4; abstr 429)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2019.37.4_suppl.429

Abstract #

429

Poster Bd #

N9

Abstract Disclosures

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