In the case of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, rapid diagnosis and early initiation of therapy can be life-saving. That is why the accelerated examination facility available at Semmelweis University’s Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, which is unique in the country, is of particular importance, thanks to which the diagnosis can be made in a significantly shorter time than average, in 10-12 days, and then the therapy can begin, says the director of the institute.
Dr. Péter Hegyi is the upcoming November 21 is World Pancreatic Cancer Day on the occasion, he also talks about the fact that pancreatic cancer patients treated at the institute undergo genetic testing in order to search for possible mutations, and that, in justified cases, treatments and interventions based on the latest scientific results can also be made available.
There are no typical symptoms
Recognizing and treating diseases of the pancreas is still a great challenge for medicine. In the case of acute pancreatitis early diagnosis is relatively simple, but in the absence of specific therapy, the condition can be life-threatening even today. In the case of pancreatic cancer, not only the treatment, but also the diagnosis is a difficult task: it is an organ that is difficult to examine (the pancreatic duct is only 1-2 millimeters, in which the changes cannot necessarily be detected even with modern imaging diagnostic methods), and pancreatic cancer does not have no typical symptoms either explains dr. Peter Hegyi.
The director of the institute also talks about the fact that pancreatic cancer spreads and metastases much faster than other cancers, there is no targeted oncology preparation, the only chance is early diagnosis and removal of the tumor.
In Hungary, approximately 2,500 patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year, and the number of deaths is approximately the same. Among the causes of death from cancer, this type of cancer is already the 3rd-4th. is ranked and has the worst outcome of all oncological diseases: after the discovery of the tumor, the average survival time is only 9-10 months. However, in the case of early diagnosis, the tumor can be removed from the pancreas in one-fifth of the cases, and 20-30 percent of the affected patients can survive for five years.
A hotline system works
In order to improve the chances of patients suffering from acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, the Institute of Pancreatic Diseases of Semmelweis University has a unique not only nationally, but also at the level of Central and Eastern Europe hotline system are operated.
The point is that a The phone number +3630 016 4414 accepts calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from doctors treating patients with acute pancreatitis or suspected pancreatic cancer confirmed by imaging (ultrasound or CT), but the affected parties themselves can also call. Depending on the capacity, acute cases are received immediately from all over the country, but mostly within a 100 km radius of the capital, and for patients with suspected cancer, samples are taken within an average of four days – in more than half of the cases within 24 hours – and then within 10-12 days the diagnosis can also be born. This is 3-4 times shorter than the national average he points out dr. Péter Hegyi. He added: the institute closely cooperates with the university’s Medical Imaging Clinic, Institute of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, and Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology Clinics.
Dr. Péter Hegyi highlights: rapid diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer cases is a complex task, which requires teamwork on the part of a gastroenterologist, radiologist, pathologist, surgeon, geneticist, oncologist, and dietician. Based on international experience, this cooperation can be really effective in centers such as the Institute of Pancreatic Diseases of Semmelweis University. The work currently being carried out here is not only unique in terms of patient management, but also because pancreatic cancer patients treated at the institute undergo genetic testingand if certain mutations are confirmed, then with personalized therapy, the survival time can be extended with a good chance even in some advanced cases.
Today, 5-10 percent of pancreatic cancer patients can benefit from such special therapy. Dr. Péter Hegyi also mentions that the institute participates in many international scientific researches, and through these, the latest treatments and interventions can become available to the institute’s patients in justified cases.
Source: Semmelweis University
Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
