Pancreatic cancer precancerous lesions should not be ignored, early identification is the key

Pancreatic cancer, a disease called the "silent killer" by the medical community, has attracted much attention due to its high morbidity and mortality. Globally, cases of pancreatic cancer have been rising year by year, becoming a major threat to human health. However, the formation of pancreatic cancer is not a one-time thing, and there is a complex precancerous process behind it.

1. Precancerous lesions of pancreatic cancer

The development of pancreatic cancer is a multi-stage, highly dynamic process. Among them, the formation of precancerous lesions is a key link in the development of pancreatic cancer. Precancerous lesions, as the name suggests, refer to the pathological state of certain diseases that may transform into malignant tumors during their development. For pancreatic cancer, precancerous lesions mainly include pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanINs), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystadenomas (MCNs).

2. Classification and characteristics of pancreatic cancer precancerous lesions

Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanINs)

PanINs are part of the multi-step tumor progression model of pancreatic cancer and can be divided into three levels according to the severity of the lesions. From PanIN-1 to PanIN-3, the lesions gradually worsen, and the nuclear morphology gradually approaches that of cancer cells, but basement membrane invasion has not yet occurred. Therefore, early detection and treatment of PanINs are of great significance for the prevention of pancreatic cancer.

Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN)

IPMN is a lesion characterized by neoplastic papillary hyperplasia, mucin secretion, and pancreatic duct dilatation. According to its location and type, IPMN can be divided into main duct type, branch duct type, and mixed type. Malignant transformation and invasive growth of main duct type IPMN are more frequent, so timely diagnosis and treatment are required.

Mucinous cystadenoma (MCN)

The incidence of MCN is low, mainly occurring in women around 50 years old, and is common in the body and tail of the pancreas. MCN was listed as a precancerous lesion of pancreatic cancer by the WHO in 2010 and is divided into benign, low-grade malignant and malignant (carcinoma in situ).

3. Prevention and Early Detection

To prevent pancreatic cancer precancerous lesions, we first need to maintain good living habits, including quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, eating a balanced diet, and exercising moderately. In addition, regular physical examinations and imaging examinations are also important ways to detect precancerous lesions early. For patients who have been found to have precancerous lesions, they should actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment plan and conduct regular review and monitoring to promptly detect and deal with possible malignant changes. With the development of imaging technology and the popularization of health examinations, the detection rate of pancreatic cancer precancerous lesions has increased year by year. However, since these lesions often have no obvious symptoms in the early stages, many patients miss the best time for treatment. Therefore, raising public awareness and attention to pancreatic cancer precancerous lesions and strengthening early screening and intervention are the key to reducing the incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer.