Pancreatic cancer: dangerous but treatable
World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 17 / Tumor removal using "Whipple" surgery is considered one of the most complex abdominal procedures / Extensive experience at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg with minimally invasive method
It is one of the most insidious tumor diseases of all: cancer of the pancreas, also known as pancreatic cancer, causes symptoms late and is still very difficult to treat. Around 21,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with this disease every year. However, if warning signs are recognized in time and patients are treated by specialists according to the latest research findings, those affected can be well helped. World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 17 draws attention to the treatment options and the need for further research into new therapies.
"Because pancreatic cancer is often very aggressive, it must be clarified as quickly as possible whether surgery is possible. This decision should definitely be made by experienced pancreatic surgeons because the operation is one of the most difficult surgical procedures of all," says Prof. Dr. Stefan Fichtner-Feigl, Medical Director of the Department of General and Visceral Surgery at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "In about half of our patients, we can perform the procedure laparoscopically or with a surgical robot in a minimally invasive way, which significantly accelerates recovery," says Prof. Dr. Uwe Wittel, Head of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, where more than 100 patients with pancreatic cancer are treated every year.
The surgical removal of the tumor, known as Whipple surgery, is so complex because the pancreas borders on many large, important vessels and organs. In addition to the affected part of the pancreas, the duodenum, gallbladder, bile duct and surrounding lymph nodes must first be removed and then reconnected. "In difficult cases, the operation often takes six to seven hours and requires very good teamwork from everyone involved," says Wittel.
Studies help patients and strengthen research
In addition, experts from surgery, oncology, radiotherapy and other disciplines at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg discuss the best therapy in each case. "We are already determining the molecular characteristics of tumours and incorporating them into personalized therapy for each patient. This will become increasingly important in the future," says Fichtner-Feigl. In order to further improve the treatment options for pancreatic cancer, the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is conducting numerous studies on better surgical, drug and radiotherapeutic therapies.
Yellowing of the eyes is an important warning sign
Because the tumor often causes no pain, it is important to recognize warning signs early on. "Often only relatives or acquaintances notice the slight discoloration in the eyes at first. This occurs because the tumor presses on the bile duct and the bile cannot flow out. In this case, rapid clarification is required, especially if there are other indications such as loss of appetite, weight loss or a new onset of diabetes," says Wittel.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Fichtner-Feigl
Medical Director
Department of General and Visceral Surgery
Uniklinik Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-28060
stefan.fichtner@uniklinik-freiburg.de
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