Objective To investigate the survival of advanced stage periampullary carcinoma and its prognostic factors.Methods The clinical data and follow up of 134 patients with advanced stage periampullary carcinoma admitted to our hospital between January 2007 and December 2010 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Results Of 134 patients,there were 83 males and 51 females.The mean age±S.D.was 62.49±11.41 (28-83).For the 86 patients who underwent surgery,32 had extensive peritoneal metastases on surgical exploration,27 had metastases/involvement of the liver or stomach,and 27 had major vessel infiltration.For these 86 patients,55 received surgical exploration,whereas 31 had surgical exploration plus bypass anastomosis. 45 patients received chemotherapy,while 67 received chemotherapy plus radiotherapy.The improvements in quality of life and in clinical response rate after concurrent chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy alone were 73.1％ and 57.8％,respectively.The overall survival was 14.27±1.06 months.The median survival time was 11 (8.95±13.05) months.The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 43％ and 10％,respectively.Karnofsky performance status,and the presence or absence of jaundice co-related with poor prognosis on single factor analysis.The Karnofsky performance status was an independent survival predictor on multifactor analysis.Conclusions The prognosis of patients with advanced stage periampullary carcinoma was poor.Chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy had similar impact on overall survival,Karnofsky performance status was an independent survival predictor.