Editorial

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth biggest cause of cancer-related fatalities in the World and generally affects people in their sixth to eighth decades. Cigarette smoking, obesity, high alcohol intake and chronic pancreatitis are underlying risk factors. The majority of pancreatic carcinomas are ductal adenocarcinomas, frequently developed on the head of the pancreas. Due to the delayed emergence of clinical symptoms, the pathology is often detected in a late stage (e.g. epigastric pain, painless jaundice and weight loss). When the primary tumor is diagnosed, it has often already advanced to other organs, primarily the liver. Surgical excision is only achievable in around 20 percent of patients, therefore palliative care is generally the sole option. The most prevalent surgical procedure performed is pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure). Survival rates at five years vary from 3 to 40% depending on the size, spread and resectability of the tumor. Imaging may sometimes detect tiny, possibly resectable pancreatic lesions. These lesions may be benign, premalignant or malignant. Pancreatic cystic lesions and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors profit from special medical and surgical treatment. Screening is not conducted frequently, although it is advised for selected, high-risk patients.