Dose optimization of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is essential to mitigate muscle loss in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Background & Aims: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) contributes to malnutrition, marked by muscle loss during chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer (aPC). Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is recommended for patients with EPI; however, it's efficacy for attenuating muscle loss has not been demonstrated. We aimed to delineate the impact of PERT dose on muscle loss using a 7-year population-based cohort with aPC who were provided PERT at the discretion of their oncologist or dietitian according to clinical indications of EPI.

Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency among Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common malignancy of the pancreas and is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. Many PDAC patients suffer from profound nutritional complications such as nutrient deficiencies, weight loss, malnutrition, and cancer cachexia. These complications cause barriers to effective anticancer treatments, gravely influence their quality of life, and decrease their overall survival.

Report from the 21st Annual Western Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference; Calgary, Alberta; 20-21 September 2019.

The 21st annual Western Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference (WCGCCC) was held in Calgary, Alberta, 20-21 September 2019. The WCGCCC is an interactive multi-disciplinary conference attended by health care professionals from across Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) involved in the care of patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and allied health care professionals such as dietitians and nurses participated in presentation and discussion sessions to develop the recommendations presented here.