Correlation of intratumoral mast cell quantity with psychosocial distress in patients with pancreatic cancer: the PancStress study.

Mast cells are commonly found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet their role in the disease remains uncertain. Although mast cells have been associated with depression in several diseases, their connection to PDAC in this context remains unclear. This study explored the correlation between mast cells and psychosocial stress in patients with PDAC.

Patterns and Relevance of Langerhans Islet Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer.

Unlabelled: : Pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes mellitus (PC-DM) is present in most patients with pancreatic cancer, but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to characterize tumor infiltration in Langerhans islets in pancreatic cancer and determine its clinical relevance.

Methods: Langerhans islet invasion was systematically analyzed in 68 patientswith pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using histopathological examination and 3D in vitro migration assays were performed to assess chemoattraction of pancreatic cancer cells to isletcells.

A look at the progress of treating pancreatic cancer over the past 20 years.

Pancreatic cancer is known to be the deadliest of all common cancers. Despite all efforts in pancreatic cancer treatment, the five-year survival rates at diagnosis over the past 20 years have only increased from 5% to 8%. Assuming that pancreatic cancer is going to become the second most frequent cause of cancer related death in the next 20 years, we are all encouraged to treat patients in clinical trials to gain improvements in this devastating disease.

Intraoperative wound irrigation to prevent surgical site infection after laparotomy (IOWISI): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common hospital infections and contributes substantially to postoperative morbidity and mortality. In addition, SSIs dramatically increase the treatment cost and length of hospital stay. Following visceral surgery by laparotomy, SSI rates are especially high (14-25%).

The influence of neural invasion on survival and tumor recurrence in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the impact of neural invasion/NI on overall survival/OS and tumor recurrence in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma/PDAC.

Summary Background Data: NI is a histopathological hallmark of PDAC. Although some studies suggested an important role for NI on OS, disease-free/DFS and progression-free survival/PFS in PDAC, there is still no consensus on the actual role of NI on survival and local recurrence in PDAC.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency after pancreatic surgery.

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is an often-underestimated complication following pancreatic surgery. After recent advances in managing acute postoperative complications the focus of current research is now shifting onto the long-term complications following pancreatectomy. Weight loss and steatorrhea as typical symptoms have high influence on the quality of life in the postoperative period.