Prognosis
If pancreatic cancer is detected and treated in the early stages, there is a small chance of cure. If the tumor develops in the head of the pancreas, it may be detected earlier than in other forms of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic CA), since a relatively early narrowing of the bile duct near the head of the pancreas causes jaundice (icterus), which is diagnosed by the diagnosis of which the tumor is then detected. Overall, it can be said that the smaller the tumor and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the patient’s chances of survival.
In general, good prognoses are preferably made if the tumor is still less than 3 cm in size and has not yet spread to other organs or areas of the body. In about 10 to 15 percent of patients, the disease can then be cured by surgery. Unfortunately, most pancreatic carcinomas are not diagnosed until their development is well advanced because they cause symptoms in patients at a late stage and are therefore not sought after.
A curative therapy is then in most cases no longer possible. Nevertheless, therapy can slow down the progression of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, there is no generally valid screening test that could detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage via blood count changes (tumor markers).
Aftercare
Aftercare examinations usually take place at intervals of one to several months. Depending on the stage of the tumor and the individual situation, the attending physician should determine the intervals and the extent of the aftercare examinations. In particular, any new symptoms should be discussed with the patient. Important aftercare examinations are:
- Ultrasound examination (Sono)
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Determination of tumor markers (which can be used to monitor the efficacy of chemo- and/or radiotherapy and/or to detect the recurrence of a tumor)
