Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers. Doctor: weeks count

The speed and efficiency of pancreatic cancer diagnosis should improve as it is a difficult cancer. And he does not “forgive” prolonged diagnostics – weeks are important here, not months. Treatment is a must, writes Leszek Kraj, MD, PhD, clinical oncologist.

1. Pancreatic cancer is – compared to other cancers – relatively many deaths, writes Dr. Kraj
2. Only about 8-9 percent. survives 5 years from diagnosis
3. Pancreatic cancer has quite non-specific symptoms. One of them may be newly diagnosed diabetes and mechanical jaundice
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

In terms of the incidence of disease, it is not a common neoplasm. However, if we look at mortality statistics, it is, unfortunately, one of the leaders in the world. Compared to other cancers, the prognosis for pancreatic cancer remains poor – 5-year survival is still a single-digit number, amounting to about 8-9%. It is estimated that around 2030 pancreatic cancer may even be the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths.

Is there pancreatic cancer prophylaxis?

It should be taken into account that there are two types of prophylaxis – primary and secondary. Primary prevention consists in taking measures that will reduce the risk of developing cancer. Therefore, we focus on the elimination of risk factors, which in the case of pancreatic cancer – due to the threat to health and life it carries – is of great importance. Secondary prophylaxis is associated with early cancer detection and prompt treatment to reduce the risk of death from the disease. However, while in the case of other cancers we have tools for secondary prevention in the form of screening tests, there are no such tests for pancreatic cancer. Moreover the pancreas, due to its location, is difficult to visualize in a standard ultrasound examination. However, studies do not show that regular ultrasound examination increases the chances of earlier detection of cancer in this organ.

1. The XNUMX worst foods for the pancreas

Pancreatic cancer – mostly non-specific symptoms

Otherwise the symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer are mostly non-specificwhich extends diagnosis. These are: anorexia, weakness, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, fast satiety after a meal, abdominal pain and discomfort in the abdominal cavity, pain in the lumbar region – radiating, very similar to pain in the lumbar spine. There may also be diarrhea, discolored stools and dark urine, and itchy skin. Suspicion should arise from thromboembolic events and recurrent pancreatitis. Also depression, subcutaneous nodules with fat necrosis, dermatitis in the form of migratory necrolytic erythema, seizures, ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding may be symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

1. See also: Pancreatic cancer. “We don’t know why it kills so quickly.” There are more puzzles

The lack of characteristic symptoms and their appearance most often in the advanced stage of the disease mean that patients are diagnosed late, which translates into a small number of patients who can be qualified for radical treatment. So the first big challenge is early diagnosis. Thanks to it, the patient can be quickly referred to the most appropriate therapy.

Treatment of pancreatic cancer is a must

Treatment of pancreatic cancer is necessary due to the dangerous nature of the disease and the speed of its progression. The best treatment for pancreatic cancer is surgery, that is, physically getting rid of the lesion. If it is possible to remove the tumor by surgery and then use chemotherapy, then the chances of survival increase. Still, the effects of our treatment remain unsatisfactory. Progress is noticeable, but it is quite slow.

In the treatment of pancreatic cancer, radical treatment is also combined treatment, as all patients should then receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Thanks to this, we have a better chance of curing the sick.

We can now offer patients with metastases the only therapeutic option – systemic treatment, i.e. classic chemotherapy. As it is available in several schemes, the most appropriate type can be selected according to the clinical profile of a particular patient.

1. Find out more: How can you tell if your pancreas is in poor shape?

We know more and more about selecting cancer subtypes through molecular testing. Thanks to this, we detect mutations. For example, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which, although associated mainly with ovarian and breast cancer, are also associated with pancreatic cancer. So now we can add targeted treatment to chemotherapy. Not all available drugs are already available in Poland, but I hope that this will change over time. It should be remembered that people burdened with mutations should pay particular attention to any disturbing symptoms that could suggest the development of this cancer.

We cannot cure patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. In such cases, chemotherapy treatment is defined as palliative treatment, where the primary goal is to prolong survival, but also maintain a good quality of life.

New therapies targeting narrow groups of patients

In recent years, there has been no revolution that would spectacularly change the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Certainly, personalized therapies are big steps in the right direction, and this is the direction that oncology is clearly heading, i.e. the search for narrow groups of patients who can be treated with a specific therapeutic regimen.

There is now a heated debate around the world about how to change pancreatic cancer treatment for better outcomes. Recently, a congress was held in San Francisco, which reported the results of a clinical phase I trial for a drug that may be very effective in patients with a specific BRCA mutation. It happens in 1-2% of patients, but the effects of drug administration seem spectacular.

The article comes from the campaign “Diagnosis: Cancer” prepared by Warsaw Press, and the media partner of which is the medTvoiLokony portal. All materials can be found at http://www.warsawpress.com/