Liver and pancreatic cancers can develop without obvious symptoms, making early detection particularly important in improving the treatment options available to patients…
Specialists at the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG) are highlighting the importance of screening and rapid diagnosis, particularly when abnormalities such as nodules are discovered during scans carried out for other reasons. A nodule does not necessarily indicate cancer but establishing whether it is benign or malignant can involve multiple examinations and lengthy waits for specialist appointments.
To reduce this uncertainty, CHPG has developed a dedicated pathway designed to coordinate investigations and, where possible, provide patients with an answer within a single day. Patients can undergo examinations including CT and MRI scans, alongside consultations with relevant specialists. At the end of the process, the patient meets with the specialists to review the findings together and decide whether any further investigation or treatment is needed.
The multidisciplinary team can determine whether further investigation or treatment is required, including biopsy or surgery, allowing patients with cancer to move towards appropriate care as quickly as possible whilst reassuring those whose abnormalities are benign.
According to CHPG specialists, screening is recommended from the age of 50 where there is a suspicion of disease or a family history, with early diagnosis potentially providing a wider range of treatment options.
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