Pancreatic cancer : NICE USC guidance summary

This table based on NICE USC recommendations provides clear guidelines for healthcare professionals on when to consider an urgent referral or diagnostic testing for pancreatic cancer, based on patient age and specific symptoms or findings. The guidance emphasizes the importance of early diagnostic procedures for those presenting with indicators suggestive of potential pancreatic malignancy, aiming to facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Guidance Item	Criteria for Referral or Diagnostic Action	Patient Group	Recommended Action	Timeline	Symptoms/Findings
Pancreatic Cancer 1.2.4	Aged 40 and over with jaundice	Aged 40 and over	Suspected cancer pathway referral	-	Jaundice
Pancreatic Cancer 1.2.5	Aged 60 and over with weight loss and any of the following symptoms: diarrhoea, back pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, new-onset diabetes	Aged 60 and over	Urgent, direct access CT scan (or urgent ultrasound if CT not available)	Within 2 weeks	Weight loss, diarrhoea, back pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, new-onset diabetes

Terminology used by NICE

Term	Definition
Children	From birth to 15 years.
Children and young people	From birth to 24 years.
Consistent with	The finding has characteristics that could be caused by many things, including cancer.
Direct access	When a test is done and primary care retain clinical...

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