Strategies for early detection of resectable pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose at an early stage and generally has a poor prognosis. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic carcinoma. To improve the prognosis of this disease, it is essential to detect tumors at early stages, when they are resectable. The optimal approach to screening for early pancreatic neoplasia has not been established. The International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening Consortium has recently finalized several recommendations regarding the management of patients who are at an increased risk of familial pancreatic cancer. In addition, there have been notable advances in research on serum markers, tissue markers, gene signatures, and genomic targets of pancreatic cancer. To date, however, no biomarkers have been established in the clinical setting. Advancements in imaging modalities touch all aspects of the clinical management of pancreatic diseases, including the early detection of pancreatic masses, their characterization, and evaluations of tumor resectability. This article reviews strategies for screening high-risk groups, biomarkers, and current advances in imaging modalities for the early detection of resectable pancreatic cancer.

Keywords: Early detection, Resectable, Pancreatic cancer, Screening, High-risk group, Biomarker, Imaging

Core tip: To improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer, it is essential to detect tumors at early stages, when they are resectable. The cancer of the pancreas screening program has reached several conclusions and recommendations for the management of patients who are at an increased risk of familial pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, genetic, epigenetic, and proteomics research have improved the understanding of the mechanisms of this disease, potentially offering biomarkers that could allow the cancer to be detected early. This article reviews strategies for the early detection of resectable pancreatic cancer.