Carcinoma of the pancreas

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 103; no. 4; pp. 437 - 441
• Main Authors: Saltzstein, Harry C., Aboulafia, Elie D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.1962
• Subjects: Carcinoma; Humans; Old Medline; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms; PANCREAS/neoplasms
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9610(62)90149-6

The importance of maintaining a tumor registry in a community hospital is stressed. Experience gained from follow-up examinations of thirty-eight patients with carcinoma of the pancreas at Sinai Hospital was reviewed, and diagnostic problems were discussed. The most reliable clue to diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas is the association of rapid weight loss and jaundice. Abdominal pain or discomfort are invariably present, but lack a specific pattern. Vague abdominal complaints in the presence of rapid weight loss should prompt earlier diagnosis before jaundice appears. A high index of suspicion will help establish the diagnosis early. The poor prognosis for patients with carcinoma of the pancreas, associated with palliative or no treatment, dictates that early diagnosis be established since only patients amenable to pancreaticoduodenectomy may survive for longer than five years. The mortality and morbidity are to be compared with an average survival of seven months from onset of symptoms, if the disease takes its natural devastating course.