Table 1 Clinical characteristics of the 454 patients

Sex ratio, female/male

0.96

Mean age (± SD)

65 (± 10)

Mean BMI (± SD)

23.6 (± 4.16)

 < 18.5 (%)

37 (8.2)

 18.5–24.9 (%)

282 (62.1)

 25–29.9 (%)

105 (23.1)

 ≥ 30 (%)

30 (6.6)

Performance status at diagnosis

 0–1 (%)

397 (87.4)

 2–3 (%)

58 (12.6)

Weight loss

 Weight loss at diagnosis (%)

294 (64.8)

 Continuous weight loss at restaging (%)

60 (13.2)

Jaundice (%)

264 (58.1)

Biliary stenting (%)

272 (59.9)

Abdominal pain (%)

293 (64.5)

Mean CA 19-9 serum level (UI)(±SD)

 At diagnosis (after jaundice resolution)

1648 (± 6020)

Tumor location

 Head (%)

315 (69.4)

 Body (%)

102 (22.5)

 Tail (%)

37 (8.1)

Tumor staging

 Borderline

336 (74)

 Locally advanced

118 (26)

Induction treatment (%)

454 (100)

 Chemotherapy (%)

375 (82.6)

 Chemoradiation (%)

79 (17.4)

Resection (%)

142 (31.3)