Pancreatic cancer: An update on diagnosis and management

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate among all main cancer types and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Australia. OBJECTIVE: This review focuses on the 95% of pancreatic cancers that arise as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, with the aim to summarise current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. DISCUSSION: No cardinal symptoms for pancreatic cancer exist. Weight loss combined with abdominal symptoms or back pain in individuals aged ≥60 years prompts urgent computed tomography of the abdomen, while individuals aged ≥40 years with jaundice require direct specialist referral. Pancreatic cancer is categorised as resectable, borderline resectable, loc..