Thomas Andersson: Long recovery after pancreatic cancer surgery
Despite improved care, the road back is often long after surgery for pancreatic cancer. Thomas Andersson has studied patients’ recovery during the first year to understand how care can provide better support.
THOMAS ANDERSSON
Dissertation defense: 21 November 2025 (click for details)
Doctoral thesis: Pancreatic surgery - The recovery perspective
Research area: Surgery
Sahlgrenska Academy, The Institute of Clinical Sciences
Surgery combined with chemotherapy is the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer. The procedures are extensive and put great strain on patients, both physically and mentally. In his research, Thomas Andersson followed patients for a year after surgery to understand how their health and quality of life changed over time.
Health before surgery most decisive
The results show that recovery is strongly influenced by the patient’s health before surgery. This had greater impact than both the extent of the operation and the level of inflammation afterwards.
The Enhanced Recovery Program (ERP, see fact box below), introduced at several hospitals, has made care more structured and led to shorter hospital stays. Yet patients’ perceived recovery has not always improved to the same extent.
“Many describe prolonged fatigue, changes in appetite, and digestive problems that affect daily life. To provide better support, we need to follow patients’ recovery over time and combine medical measures with their own experiences,” says Thomas Andersson, specialist nurse in surgical care at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and doctoral student at the Institute of Clinical Sciences.
Structured care provides reassurance
According to the study, introducing ERP has made care more cohesive, with clearer routines and improved coordination among different professional groups. This has helped ensure that more patients receive equal care and that the transition between surgery, postoperative care, and rehabilitation runs more smoothly.
“It’s positive that the care structure has been strengthened. But we also need to make use of patients’ experiences to truly understand their recovery,” says Thomas Andersson.
Balancing clinical work and research
What has been the most rewarding and most challenging part of the doctoral project?
“The most rewarding part has been seeing how the material I collected over several years has taken shape and led to results that can actually contribute to new knowledge. At the same time, the process of writing and submitting manuscripts is the most demanding part. And it’s a constant balancing act between clinical work and research.”
Text: Jakob Lundberg
ERP, the Enhanced Recovery Program, is a care pathway that combines evidence-based methods to accelerate recovery after surgery. It covers everything from preoperative preparation to postoperative mobilization and nutrition guidance, aiming to reduce complications, shorten hospital stays, and improve patient experience.