Screening for early pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in hereditary pancreatitis.
Patients with hereditary pancreatitis have a 40% lifetime risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Existing methods of diagnosing pancreatic cancer such as tumor markers, endoscopy, and radiological imaging lack the sensitivity and specificity for early diagnosis, particularly in a background of chronic pancreatitis. Molecular based strategies offer new avenues of screening for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in these high-risk patients, which may allow the development of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for the early detection of cancer.
Howes
N
N
Department of Surgery, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Greenhalf
W
W
Neoptolemos
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000235:genetics*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics*; D012306:Risk; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity