Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Gastroenterology
Abdominal pain: is it the pancreas?
Abstract
Pancreatic diseases are generally poorly understood, frequently misdiagnosed and inadequately treated. This article outlines the symptoms of pancreatic pathology and guides the practitioner through various investigations.
Key Points
- For patients over the age of 50 years with abdominal pain, one should have a high level of suspicion for the presence of underlying malignancy, particularly of the pancreas.
- Any demonstrated abnormality of the pancreas should be investigated further and treated as pancreatic cancer until proven otherwise.
- Any masses should be assessed by specialists in the field for further treatment.
- Patients with chronic pancreatitis are at risk for pancreatic malignancy and should be followed up by a gastroenterologist or a pancreatic surgeon.
- Percutaneous biopsy should not be performed prior to assessment of resectability because of the risk of the tumour seeding along the needle tract and thereby eliminating any chance of cure.
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