Abstract
BACKGROUND: In recent years, the incidence of early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC) has increased. Several studies comparing the survival of patients with EOPC to those with average-onset pancreatic cancer (AOPC) have reported mixed results. We aimed, therefore, to perform a meta-analysis summarizing the current evidence. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for relevant articles published through March 2024. Articles comparing the survival of patients with EOPC - defined as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) diagnosed at ≤ 50 years of age - and AOPC were included in the present meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), and the risk of bias analysis was performed using the Quality in Prognostic Factor Studies tool. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were eligible for the primary analysis, the results of which indicated that patients with EOPC had a longer overall survival than those with AOPC (aHR = 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.86; P < 0.001). The rate of distant metastasis was higher in EOPC than AOPC; however, patients with EOPC also received more treatments than those with AOPC. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with EOPC had a better prognosis than those with AOPC. Clinicians must ensure that patients with PDAC receive early and appropriate treatment to improve their survival.