title: Precursors of pancreatic cancer.
abstract: Pancreatic cancer (PC) behaves very differently in comparison with other malignancies. Its incidence has been increasing continuously; mortality has not decreased, the diagnosis is frequently late, radical surgery is performed only in 15-20% of patients, and chemotherapy is only palliative. PC occurs in three different forms. Sporadic PC accounts for 90% of all PCs. Its most frequent form is the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The remaining 10% constitute two minority groups: familial PC (7%) and PC as a manifestation of a genetic cancer syndrome (3%). PCs are preceded by a precancerous lesion (precursor). At present, six different precursors are known. They have different histomorphological characteristics and malignant potential. The recognition and correct interpretation of individual precursors influences adequate clinical decision-making. The publication surveys the present knowledge of individual precursors and their role in the early pancreatic carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: aGastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, Military University Hospital bLaboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism cInstitute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, General University Hospital, and Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Přemysl
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frič
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Škrha
authors.forename: Aleksi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Šedo
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bušek
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laclav
authors.forename: Bohuš
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bunganič
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zavoral
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor