Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy arising from the cells of the pancreas, a crucial organ for digestion and hormone regulation. It's often diagnosed at advanced stages due to nonspecific symptoms, such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, and a family history of the disease. Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, with a low survival rate primarily because it tends to metastasize early and is often resistant to treatment. Management typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, but the effectiveness of these interventions varies depending on the cancer's stage and tumour biology.

Advances in pancreatic surgery have revolutionized treatment options for pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic diseases. Minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries reduce postoperative pain and speed up recovery. Enhanced imaging technologies, such as intraoperative ultrasound and MRI, aid surgeons in precise tumor localization and margin assessment, improving surgical outcomes. Moreover, advancements in perioperative care, including enhanced recovery pathways and personalized treatment plans, have decreased complication rates and optimized patient recovery. Additionally, the development of novel surgical approaches, such as neoadjuvant therapy and targeted therapies, offers promising avenues for improving long-term survival rates and quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients.