Pancreatic cancer Anupdateondiagnosisand 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, locall..