Image: The technique can distinguish arteries (red) and veins (blue) at the level of 200 microns (Photo courtesy of University of Oklahoma) Pancreatic cancer, known for being particularly challenging to cure, often goes undetected at the microscopic level due to typically absent early symptoms. This often leads to late diagnosis when the cancer has already spread, resulting in dire survival rates – approximately a 9% overall chance. The best chances for patient survival currently hinge on surgery and chemotherapy, with the effectiveness of surgery dependent on the complete removal of the cancer, a task complicated by the limitations of current imaging techniques like CT scans, which only detect cancer at a more advanced stage. A groundbreaking imaging approach can now enhance the detection of pancreatic cancer cells at the microscopic level, around 200 microns in size, similar to the thickness of an eyelash, potentially improving surgery outcomes and extending patient survival.