| Theme |
IPMN/Pancreatic Cyst as an Increasing Common Disease -- Current Status and Issues |
| Title |
The Relationship between Hospitals and Clinics in the Treatment of Pancreatic Diseases Including IPMN |
| Author |
Keiji Hanada |
Department of Gastroenterology, Onomichi Hospital |
| Author |
Akinori Shimizu |
Department of Gastroenterology, Onomichi Hospital |
| Author |
Masakata Yokode |
Department of Gastroenterology, Onomichi Hospital |
| Author |
Morito Ikeda |
Department of Gastroenterology, Onomichi Hospital |
| Author |
Shigeki Yano |
Department of Gastroenterology, Onomichi Hospital |
| Author |
Keisuke Kurihara |
Department of Gastroenterology, Onomichi Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Some recent studies have demonstrated that a slight dilatation of the main pancreatic duct and small cystic lesions including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) were detected by ultrasonography (US) initially in most pancreatic cancer (PC) cases diagnosed at an early stage. Detecting these abnormal findings in cases with high risk factors outlined in clinical guidelines of PC regarding effective screening systems including image diagnosis, as well as some biological markers should contribute to early diagnosis of PC. Especially, careful attention is needed to diagnose PC concomitant with IPMN at an early stage. Recently, cooperative activities of regional specialist doctors in medical centers and general practitioners such as “Onomichi Project”for early diagnosis of PC have been developed in Japan. In the future, these activities may play an important role in the early diagnosis of PC. |