Pancreatic Cancer: Finding Hope Through Early Detection

*Yellow skin, subtle aches, a silent killer. Pancreatic cancer often lurks unnoticed, its symptoms easily dismissed. But what if you knew the key signs? In this revealing interview, a leading expert breaks down the crucial details, separating myth from reality, and offering a glimmer of hope in the face of a formidable disease. Discover the early warning signs, the surprising risk factors, and the vital message about early detection that could save lives.***Peter Zombori:** Hello everybody. Welcome to our medical interview today with Professor Mertens from Hills London Hospital in Zurich. Thank you, Professor, for joining us.**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.**Peter Zombori:** Today, we'll be discussing pancreatic cancer, which is a challenging topic. Could you please tell us what the primary symptom of pancreatic cancer is?**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** The most frequent and classical symptom of pancreatic cancer is the sudden onset of jaundice. Patients often present to a doctor with painless yellowing of the skin, which is the textbook presentation. However, it's crucial to understand that the symptoms a patient experiences depend significantly on the location of the tumor within the pancreas.**Peter Zombori:** Okay, mhm.**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** Imagine the pancreas as a sausage-shaped organ in the abdomen, through which various vessels pass. If a tumor develops in the head of the pancreas, where many ducts and vessels converge, it can compress these ducts, leading to jaundice—yellowing of the skin, eyes, and urine—because bile fluid cannot flow properly.**Watch the full video here:****Prof. Joachim Mertens:** Therefore, cancers in the head of the pancreas often manifest with jaundice. Pancreatic cancers located in the tail or body of the pancreas are more difficult to detect. They often present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, such as a general feeling of unwellness, fullness, abdominal pressure, substantial weight loss, malaise, and fatigue. These symptoms are more subtle.When a patient with a pancreatic head tumor presents with jaundice, it's a clear sign. However, the more subtle symptoms require greater attention for early detection.**Peter Zombori:** And is there any way to avoid pancreatic cancer?**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** We know there are certain risk factors clearly identified. The number one risk factor is smoking. Chronic inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, is another significant risk factor.If someone has a history of pancreatitis, they may have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Therefore, awareness of previous pancreatic diseases is essential. And of course, stopping smoking is paramount.**Peter Zombori:** And, yeah, and now the most important question, can it be cured?**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** The critical part of this hopeful message is that early detection is key to a cure. This is true for all cancers, but especially for pancreatic cancer, given its central location and the many structures it affects.**Peter Zombori:** So, screening is key.**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** If we can detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage through imaging and thorough examination, the chances of a cure are substantial. The more advanced the cancer, the more difficult treatment becomes. Screening is challenging because we lack a clear screening population. There is no established screening for pancreatic cancer in the general population because it is, fortunately, a relatively rare cancer.**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** However, we may have high-risk populations where intensified surveillance is warranted. And if any symptoms point towards pancreatic cancer, imaging should be prioritized over delayed action. In pancreatic cancer, shorter periods of time make a significant difference.**Peter Zombori:** Professor Mertens, thank you so much. I know you have a busy schedule, so we will conclude here. Thank you for discussing pancreatic cancer, and I wish you a wonderful day. Thank you. Bye.**Prof. Joachim Mertens:** Thank you, Peter. Thanks.**Peter Zombori:** Thank you.