title: Panic as a harbinger of pancreatic cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous literature has discussed the diagnosis of cancer with psychiatric symptoms. There are noted associations made between pancreatic cancer and depression and anxiety symptoms both in literature and textbooks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors discuss the case of a patient who presented with anxiety and panic attacks before his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There has been a previous association noted between depression and anxiety and pancreatic cancer; however, this work and another report have noted panic episodes preceding diagnosis, as well. These symptoms could prove to be an important marker for early detection.
authors.affiliation: Salem VAMC, Mental Health, Code 116A7, 1970 Roanoke Blvd., Salem, VA 24153, USA. benjamin.griffeth@va.gov
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Griffeth
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehra
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*