[Pancreatic Diseases]

The author presents his personal choice of practical relevant papers of pancreatic diseases from 2014 to 2015. Nutritional factors and hypertriglycidemia are discussed as causes of acute pancreatitis. Tools to avoid post-ERCP(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) pancreatitis are described and the natural course of fluid collections and pseudocysts is demonstrated. The value of secretin-MRCP(magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) for diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is illustrated. Data help to choose the minimally effective prednisolone dose in autoimmune pancreatitis. The increased prevalence of fractures in patients with chronic pancreatitis highlights the necessity of screening for bone density loss. The association of vitamin D intake with pancreatic cancer is described. The probability of cancer in IPNM is shown and innovative surgical concepts to reduce the loss of pancreatic function are presented. Finally neoadjuvant concepts for the treatment of pancreatic cancer are highlighted.

[Pancreatic cancer- a curable disease]

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh most common cancer in Switzerland associated with a dismal prognosis. Its natural course is fatal with a 3-year survival rate below 3%. Advances in diagnostic tools, tumor staging and multimodal treatment strategies resulted in an improved 5-year survival rate of over 20%. Patients presenting with pancreatic cancer significantly benefit from a multi-disciplinary treatment strategy in an experienced hepato-pancreato-biliary center. Following a comprehensive tumor staging, surgical resection associated with adjuvant chemotherapy is still the only curative therapy option. The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is currently investigated in clinical trials. Patients presenting with advanced pancreatic cancer not eligible for curative treatment might benefit from inclusion into innovative clinical trials with novel treatment concepts.