title: Multi-step pancreatic carcinogenesis and its clinical implications.
abstract: The poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer relates mainly to its delayed diagnosis. It has been repeatedly shown that earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is associated with a better outcome. Molecular diagnostic methods (mainly detection of K-ras mutations in pure pancreatic or duodenal juice, on specimens obtained by percutaneous fine-needle aspirations or in stool specimens) can achieve earlier diagnosis in selected subgroups of patients, such as patients with chronic pancreatitis (especially hereditary), adults with recent onset of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and patients with some inherited disorders that predispose to the development of pancreatic cancer. There is increasing evidence that pancreatic carcinogenesis is a multi-step phenomenon. Screening procedures for precursor lesions in these selected subgroups of patients may reduce the incidence and mortality from pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, 251 Hellenic Air Force (HAF) General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Sakorafas
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Tsiotou
mesh_terms: D005784:Gene Amplification; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000235:genetics; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor