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Published on: November 1, 2021
Pain and pain generation in pancreatic cancer
Fabio F di Mola1, Pierluigi di Sebastiano
1Department of Abdominal Surgery, IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy.
Background:
Pain can be a frequent symptom during the natural history of a patient with pancreatic cancer. An increase in incidence with disease progression and the presence of unbearable pain may preclude a curative resection.
Materials And Methods:
Even in those patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, the presence of pain has an impact on prognosis. To date, we do not really know why some patients develop pain.
Results:
Perineural cancer cell invasion is one of the most intriguing characteristics of this neoplasia and may in some cases explain the pain sensation. In addition, so-called "neurogenic inflammation" might also play a role in pain generation in pancreatic cancer, just like in chronic pancreatitis.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, understanding the mechanisms of pain in pancreatic cancer could help patients because what counts is not only 5-year survival but also median survival with good quality of life.
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